IC-NRLF
SB m 771
PRICE 5O OEKTTS.
THE
SPORTSMAN'S GUIDE
NORTHERN LAKES
HINTS ON
FISHING, HUNTING AND TRAPP
GEORGE ERA
AUTHOR OP "LEGENDS OF THE LA
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO : !i PUBLISHER,
199 South Clark Street,
Gift of C. A. Kofoid
THE
SPORTSMAN'S GUIDE
TO THE
NORTHERN LAKES;
WITH HINTS ON
FISHING, HUNTING AND TRAPPING.
BY GEORGE [FRANCIS.^
AUTHOR OF "LEGENDS OF THE LAND OF LAKES," ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
CHICAGO: G. F. THOMAS, PUBLISHER,
199 South Clark Street.
COPYRIGHTED
BY a. F. THOMAS.
3885.
All Rights E^erved.
551
s
TRANSPORTATION .CO.
THE GREAT LAKE ROUTE,
The Tourist's Choice to the Summer Resorts of
LAKE SUPERIOR,
THE ONLY LINE OF
FIRST-CLASS PASSENGER STEAMERS
Between Chicago, Milwaukee, Mackinaw, Duluth and all inter- mediate ports.
For Safety and Speed unsurpassed !
Elegantly furnished cabins and state rooms !
Magnificent Scenery! Ho Malaria!
A Summer Paradise !
For Tourist's Guides and General Information, call or address
L. M. & L. S. T. CO.,
74 Market St., Chicago.
SCENES ON LONG LAKE, C., ST P., M. & O. RY. 35 MILES FROM ASHLAND.
PREFACE.
Fishing and Hunting in the Northern Summer Land, the poetry of motion, the music in the air, the thrill, the healthful exercise; what exquisite, unutterable joy ! Where is the sportsman, or the pleasure tourist out for a week, who can resist the temptation to shoulder a gun and throw a line? One's mind grows fresher; memories bring back the scenes of early youth, — the brooklet, the meadow, the silvery lake and the alpine height. Yes ! all of these, and myriads of game and tons of fish await your arrival in the Northern Wilderness. The great forests of Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, bedecked by an infinite number of glistening lakes and crystal streams, together form one of the grandest pleasure gardens of the world; and there is where our little book wishes to guide those who are susceptible. Then, if we should inform you only in regard to " Points of Interest," choice localities for game and fish and the ways of getting there, you might, if not a practical sportsman, fail of "bagging" a single fowl or deer, or of catching even a trout. But no ! such is not to be. You will find your game and will " bag " it too, for we have given you explicit instructions and many useful hints for sporting operations. We do not claim perfection, or that any one subject cannot be more fully treated. We have simply done our best, and hope to be encouraged by those who could, if they ^ ould, help the good work along. We shall be glad to receive criticisms if any of our readers should happen to find us in error regarding any point or subject. Our fund of information has been gathered from so many sources that it is not at all improbable that some small errors occur. To attempt a description of all the desirable points located within the bounds of the three States previously mentioned, we find entirely impossible in a work of limited scope. Therefore we have arranged in alpha- betical order, an "Index to Northern Sporting and Pleasure Re- sorts," which will add considerably no doubt to the usefulness of our little work.
PREFACE. IX
The author, not depending entirely upon his own personal experi- ence with reference to game, fish, etc., sought information relating to the subject from his many friends and acquaintances throughout the northern country. Among the hundreds who responded, we are under special obligations to the following named gentlemen: First of all, the General Managers and Passenger Agents of the vari- ous railway companies, Messrs. Teasdale, Barker, Stennett, Carpen- ter, Hair, Winter, Davis, Warren, Ruggles, Lockwood and Whitcomb, all of whom rendered valuable assistance in the procurement of relia- ble and impartial information; second, but no less important, was the assistance contributed by Messrs. H. H. Stafford and T. Mead, of Marquette, Messrs. George R. Stuntz, J. H. La Vaque, and G. H. White, of Duluth; Hon. Samuel S. Fifield and Messrs. Samuel H. Brown and W. R. Durfee, of Ashland; H. C. Putnam, of Eau Claire; Capt. Angis and H. A. Murphy, of Bayfield; James Bardon, of Superior City; G. A. Wettestein, of Negaunee; the Hon. Henry M. Rice and J. Fletcher Williams, of St. Paul; H L. Gordon, of Minne- apolis; D. C. Evans, of Mankato; A. S. Diamond, of Excelsior; the Hon. John W. Bell, of La Pointe; W. D. Gumaer, of Phillips; Ed. C. Coleman, of Rice Lake; David Greenway, of Green Lake; John Ellison, of Ellison's Bay; J. C. Curren, of Rhinelander; S. J. Brown, of Brown's Valley; C. H. Bennett, of Pipestone; Leonard Thomas, of Lac Vieux Desert; J. O. Thayer, of Milwaukee; Thomas T. Bates, of Traverse City; F. Lawler, of Eagle River; C. A. Merritt, of Merritt's Landing; J. W. Mullen, of Taylor's Falls; O. H. Millard, of Ontario; Roderick Ross, of Winnipeg; Messrs. W. B. Pearl and N. C. Kirk, of Devil's Lake; and last but not least, Messrs. Draper and Durrie, of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
THE NORTHERN LAKES, general description of the Northern Lakes, Streams, Forests, etc . . 1
ROUTES TO LAKE SUPERIOR 5
HINTS TO TRAVELERS : Railway fare, Excursions, Depots, etc 6
LAKE SUPERIOR; Duiuth, Superior, West Superior, Washburn, Ashland, Bayfleld, Apostle Islands, Ontonagon, Houghton, Hancock, L'Anse, Ishpeming, Negaunee, Marquette and SaultSte. Marie 8
POINTS OF INTEREST IN WISCONSIN ALONG THE CHICAGO, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS & OMAHA KAILWAY: Rice Lake, Red Cedar Lake, Lac Court Oreilies, Long Lake (No. 1), Upper St. Croix Lake, etc. 18
POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE WISCONSIN CENTRAL RAIL- ROAD: Lake Winnebago, Doty's Island, Waupaca, Phillips, Penokee, Silver Creek, etc 23
POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE TO MARQUETTE OVER THE CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY: Green Bay, Es- canaba, Green Lake, etc 25
POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE MILWAUKEE, LAKE SHORE & WESTERN RAILWAY: Sheboygan, Pelican Lake, Rhinelander, Eagle Waters, Lac Vieux Desert, State Line, Waters-Meet, Lake Gogebic, etc. 27
POINTS OF INTEREST TO SPORTSMEN IN MINNESOTA: Lake of the Woods, Vermilion Lake, Headwaters of the Mississippi, Park Region, Minnesota River, etc 31
ROUTES TO MINNESOTA 33
POINTS OF INTEREST IN MICHIGAN— LOWER PENINSULA — Routes, Grand Traverse Region, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Inland Chain of Lakes, Grayling, Cheboygan, Mackinac, Chaneaux Islands, etc 35
THE ART OF FISHING: Tackle, Baits, etc., for Pike, Pickerel, Perch, Trout, Black Bass, etc 41
FISHING IN THE GREAT LAKES: Pound and gill nets. Winter fishing, bobbing, spearing, etc , 53
HOW TO SHOOT WILD GAME: Ducks, Geese, Wood-Cock, Snipe, Part- ridge, Grouse, Quail, Loons, Deer, Bear, etc — 57
TRAPPING; Traps, how to use them.— The Fox, Mink, Musk-rat, Squirrel, Skunk, Otter, Beaver, Rabbit, etc 69
THE ART OF CURING SKINS 81
SYNOPSIS OF FISH AND GAME LAWS: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michi- g-an, lovra and Dakota 85
INDEX TO NORTHERN SPORTING AND PLEASURE RESORTS 90
STATE PARK OF WISCONSIN 96
HINTS FROM AN OLD HUNTER ... 97
THE NORTHERN LAKES.
That all may "read our title clear," and that the author may not appear as treating a boundless and unlimited territory, the follow- ing explanation is vouchsafed: The scope of the present work is intended to include, besides the three Great Lakes, Superior, Huron and Michigan, a few of the more accessible inland lakes within the boundaries of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
There are, it is claimed, within this territory, fully fifteen thous- and distinct bodies of water. They are of all sizes, ranging from those of many miles in extent down to a mere mill pond, covering a few hundred acres.
The region in which these northern lakes lie nestled is greatly diversified in its topography. From scenes of pastoral beauty, lingering amid vast prairies, whose risings and fallings remind one of the mighty waves of the ocean, to the forest- girt lake, hidden beneath lofty mountains, or the mighty river coursing sublimely through some of the grandest of American scenery, all are in- cluded within the borders of our northern domain.
The sportsman can here find that Eldorado he has so long sought for,— a forest home, myriads of wild game, fish in abundance, and that quiet rest so invigorating to man. Here the wild-fowl, the deer and the bear most do congregate, and here the disciples of Isaac Walton may satisfy their craving hearts.
The firmest, and the most delicately flavored fish, as a rule, are found in northern waters. The colder and purer the water the more delicious the fish; an assertion generally admitted by all authori- ties. Who that has tasted the far famed white-fish just taken from the pure, cold northern waters, can say otherwise ?
The trout family inhabit all our northern lakes and streams. There is scarcely a brook in Northern Wisconsin, Minnesota or Michigan that is not literally alive with the speckled trout. Wher-
THE NORTHERN LAKES.
ever there is a stream, the temperature of which does not rise higher than sixty -five or seventy degrees in summer, there trout can be found in abundance.
In the Great Lakes, next in value to the white fish comes the salmon-trout, weighing often from twenty to sixty pounds. The siskowit of Lake Superior is also a species of the salmon family, and follows in the ratio of values. It is principally fished for on the shores of Isle Royale and the Canadian North Shore. Members of the pickerel family are to be found in almost all the lakes and streams; also perch, bass, and wall-eyed pike. The northern lakes are al- ways desirable places for summer camping. The shores are dry and gravelly, and in places rather precipitous. Some are marshy and full of wild rice, the delight of the sportsman on account of the wild-fowl it brings. Boats and hotel accommodations are to be f c und at all points of importance.
Forest Melodies.
Do you hear the grand outpouring
Through the hills and leafy glades- Waters rippling, streamlets purling,
Through the deepest, darkest glades ?
List, the music all about you,
Harmony of mingling sound, Sweetly sad, a weird-like stillness
Seems to rest on all around:
Loneliness almost oppressive,
Yet there ever drifting, comes Sounds of life from all directions —
Notes from busy forest homes.
Rustling through the swaying branches,
Crackling of dry twigs that move ; Thus the passing touch of breezes,
Gathers music from the grove.
Birds are chirping, talking softly,
Singing songs of triumph loud; Flitting gaily through the tree-tops,
Floating far to'rd distant cloud.
THE NORTHERN LAKES.
Insect hordes are busy, toiling,
Squirrels frisk and gambol through Time-worn monarchs of the forest;
Falling leaves fling thoughts to you.
From the earth fresh sweets arising
Fill the senses with delight, While the ever moving shadows
Constant change, from dark to light.
Is there one among the tens of thousands who travel for health and pleasure, who loves not the forest primeval? To hear the mel- ody of sounds — the brooklet rippling among the shadows, the rustling leaves, wind tossed and falling through swaying branches, the languid and silvery notes of happy songsters— and to breathe the sweet odors exhaled by nature's most precious gift to the con- tented mind— the monarchs of the wood-land. Is it not quite enough, apart from any considerations of sport, game and luxurious menu, to live surrounded by the very essence of content and recre- ation? Yes, indeed! We hear the echo, and in our imagination, and with our eyes wide open we see before us, as if reading from a great book, where every page is new, original and embellished with illuminated letters, and wonderful illustrations, the story of life. A beautiful stream of clearly drawn sketches and ever fresh ideas, flowing on like the currents in the air or a river.
For many miles along these crystal streams the foliage is so denae overhanging the water and lapping, as almost to prevent the pass- age of a row-boat under the lowering branches. Then when the sun is beaming brightly, covering the tree tops as with a sheet of molten silver, which is caught by the rustling leaves and set danc- ing to the music they themselves produce, one can scarcely believe his own senses.
Beyond we see a deer standing motionless, knee-deep in the cool crystal water, seemingly quite unconcerned about our presence. Hundreds of fish, large and small, are leaping out of the current and falling back again, their shining bodies coquettishly bent as if they were making jest of the approach of civilization. Sometimes our boat glides listlessly into a pleasant inlet where the trees on the shore gracefully bend in the breeze and kiss each other, then rising majestically, as if gathering courage, they bow and kiss once more. The foliage at times is mirrored so completely in the water
THE NORTHERN LAKES.
of a quiet lakelet that one seems suspended or floating over an enchanted forest.
The more one rambles over these forest clad hills, along the margins of quiet secluded waters — the silvery lakes and rippling streams — clothed with luxuriant verdure, bedecked by glistening rays of sunlight and gladdened by the music of soft zephyrs struggling through the bush, the more one lingers, wanders, dreams as it were, the more he is impressed with the grandeur of nature. When this heaven-born inspiration becomes thoroughly infused into our hearts, our very beings, how can we but say " There is beauty everywhere."
Never for a moment can we think of saying "good-bye" to these most charming of all "Summer Homes." Perhaps it is our inor- dinate love of nature and nature's ways; perhaps it is the effect of the exhilerating atmosphere ; and it is barely possible that the deli- cious trout and the game upon which we have been feeding these many days have engendered an extra abundance of enthusiasm re- garding this the "Sportsman's Paradise.''
No; we can never say good-bye. We depart only, and that with a full determination to come again; and as the train whirls us away over the "Divide" and through the valley, our eyes unconsciously wander back to the happy scenes of yesterday.
ROUTES TO LAKE SUPERIOR.
Like the Romans who once said "All roads lead to Rome," Chicagoans believe all railways lead to the " Queen City of the Lakes." With her half -hundred lines diverging towards every point of the compass, tourists or sportsmen can scarcely do bet- ter than to consider Chicago the hub from which they must radiate; and in commencing our series of tours for the benefit of the traveler we shall "anticipate the verdict," and begin at the head of Lake Michigan.
There are four principal routes from Chicago to Lake Superior, each of which will be treated with as little partiality as possible.
THE ROUTE via the CHICAGO & NORTH -WESTERN and the CHICAGO, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS & OMAHA RAIL- WAYS, passes through Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, along the shores of Devil's Lake, up the valley of the Baraboo, over the plains, where castellated rocks and mounds are constantly in view, through valleys and forest lands, along the margin of lakes and brimming rivers, brooks and rocky heights, until at last the great inland sea is reached. Via this route the tourist may reach either Ashland, Bayfield, Washburn, Superior City or Duluth, and will have passed en route the splendid cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.
THE ROUTE over the WISCONSIN CENTRAL and the CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE and ST. PAUL RAILWAYS, passes through Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Neenah, Waupaca, Stevens Point, etc., to Ashland The scenery, for many miles after leaving Stevens Point, is rather monotonous, being nothing more than a continuation of the great pine forest, interspersed with innumerable lumbering villages ; but, as if to make amends for this shortcoming, if such it be, Dame Nature has provided at the cross- ing of the Penokee Range, and along the Bad River, some of the grandest scenery to be met with in the entire State of Wisconsin.
Through sleeping coaches leave Chicago via this line at 9 P. M. daily, except Saturdays.
6 ROUTES TO LAKE SUPERIOR.
THE ROUTE to MARQUETTE, on Lake Superior is, except twelve miles, entirely over the CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY The twelve miles referred to is between Negaunee and Marquette, and belongs to the MARQUETTE, HOTJGHTON & ONTONAGON RAILWAY Along this route the traveler passes through Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, Neenah, Me- nasha, Appleton, Green Bay, Oconto, Marinette, Menomonee, Es- canaba and Negaunee.
THE ROUTE via the MILWAUKEE, LAKE SHORE <fe WESTERN is properly from Milwaukee, but passengers from Chi- cago traverse the intervening distance over the CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RAILWAY, as all trains connect and no change of depots is necessary. The M. L. S. & W. is now completed to within a very few miles of Lake Superior, and it is expected to be running into Ashland soon after navigation opens.
Over this route one passes through the cities of Sheboygan, Appleton and New London. Then the line runs nearly parallel with the course of the Upper Wisconsin River for many miles, and almost taps its very source at Lac Vieux Desert. From thence it follows a westerly course, diverging a little to the north till Montreal River and Ashland are reached.
There is another route to Lake Superior somewhat longer than the others, but often used when the traveler desires to visit St. Paul and vicinity en route. The route referred to is the ST. PAUL & DULUTH RAILWAY, from St. Paul to Duluth, the traveler having previously traveled from Chicago over either of the "trunk lines" so called, between the two cities.
The only through WATER ROUTE from Chicago to Lake Superior points is that of the LAKE MICHIGAN AND LAKE SUPERIOR TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.
Hints to Travelers.
LOCAL FARE in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan is four cents per mile, in Illinois three. Round trip fares in Wisconsin are at the rate of three cents per mile.
EXCURSION RATES have been reduced materially in each of the states above mentioned, and will range from two and a half to three cents per mile.
ROUTES TO LAKE SUPERIOR.
THE "LAND SEEKER'S BUREAU OF INFORMATION"
of Madison, Wis., arrange for excursions to all northern points dur- ing the summer months, and make special rates.
ALL THE RAILWAY COMPANIES have very liberal ar- rangements for the accommodation of sportsmen. Camp equipage, dogs, guns, fishing tackle and game are transported free.
CHICAGO — CITY DEPOTS. — The C & N. W and the C., St. P., M. & O. Railways, Wells street, corner of Kinzie, near bridge. The C. M. & St. P., and the Wisconsin Central Railways, Union Depot. Canal and Madison streets.
THE APOSTLE ISLANDS AND VICINITY.
LAKE SUPERIOR.
Surrounding the Great Lakes, especially Lake Superior, as nearly every one knows, there are vast tracts of territory upon which the foot of the white man has never trod ; and it is only natural that these primeval forest-lands should shelter immense quantities of wild -game, the same having been so far, in a measure, protected by the distance and inaccessibility to civilization. Within a very few years nine different railways have tapped the great "Northern Sea,'' coming from the commercial centers of the east, south and west, thus facilitating travel and transportation. It is of recent date comparatively that the ordinary sportsman could reach these virgin hunting grounds without consuming much time and strength. Now the railway companies land him almost in sight of his game. Indeed, it is no uncommon sight to see from the train, besides the myriads of wild fowl, deer and even bear. Once the writer while passing in a train near Long Lake witnessed the shooting of a bear from the baggage-car.
In sketching points of interest along the southern shore of Lake Superior, we will begin at the western extremity and work east- ward. Hence our opening sketch will relate to
Duluth.
Proctor Knott's "Zenith City of the Unsalted Sea" is not so much of a mushroom as some would like to believe it. Its booming days are over and it has now settled down to solid substantial facts. In wealth and material beauty, but one city on Lake Superior overlaps it. In population and .enterprise it outstrips all its rivals. It has not less than 12,000 inhabitants, and is growing rapidly. Its massive elevators are overflowing with the cereal products of the great west. Its vast mineral and lumber interests, almost undevel- oped as yet, bode a grand future for the bustling city on the hill- side. In the immediate vicinity along the North Shore may be seen some of the finest scenery in the world; and to the west are the famous "Dalles of the St. Louis." Indeed this is a good point for sportsmen to make headquartei s. Game and fish are near at hand, and (here is no lack of boating accommodation.
LAKE SUPERIOR.
9
Superior.
The pet of Southern Statesmen along back in the fifties, seems to have been sleeping while its sponsors were away. The city of Superior is situated upon a broad plateau, high above the bay, and boasts of a harbor unsurpassed on the Great Lakes. It can hardly count more than 2,000 people, although the site covers more ground than any other city in the state.
West Superior, (New Town)
Is situated on St. Louis Bay, west of the older town, and opposite Rice's Point— a part of Duluth. The C., St. P., M. & O. Railway Co. have lately constructed a bridge over the intervening channel. Traffic between Duluth and the east is benefited thereby to the extent of several hours time, and much trouble and vexation, espec- ially in the cold season.
Passing eastward from Superior along the Northern Pacific line innumerable streams are crossed. They are all good for fishing, especially the Brule, which is already considerably talked of.
THE NEW CITY OF WASHBURN
10 LAKE SUPERIOR.
Washburn
Is situated on the western shore of Chequamegon Bay, opposite Ash- land, from which city it is seven miles distant, across the water, and fourteen by rail. Lake Superior steamers exchange passengers and freight at this point for the C., St. P., M. & O. Ry.
Ashland.
This beautifully situated city only four years ago was not consid- ered much of a village. Then there were not more than fifteen hundred inhabitants, while now five thousand is not far amiss. Its lumbering interests have made it what it is, but the vast mineral deposits in the vicinity, and its convenience as a distributing point and tourists' headquarters will eventually make it, without doubt, the metropolis of Lake Superior. All around, and within an hour or two's drive or sail from Ashland, are clustered objects of in- terest ; while the scenery is romantic and varied in the highest degree. Sand River, Fish Creek, Sioux River, Raspberiy River, Sil- ver Creek, Pike's Creek and many other streams abound with excel- lent trout. All along the shore there is splendid rock fishing, perch and bass are plentiful, and Lake Superior produces white-fish of superior quality and size. For game, well, it is truly "The Hunter's Paradise," nature's dream realized. It seems as if but yesterday since the murmuring streams and primeval forests were known only to the beaver, the swift-footed deer and roving Indian. There are large and well appointed hotels at all the principal points named, and regular steamers ply daily between Ashland and Bay field. A favorite camping ground and place for picnic parties and excursion ists is furnished in the Apostle Islands, the beautiful scenery of which must be seen to be appreciated.
The Indian village of Odanah is but twelve miles distant. The road leading there passes through a primitive forest, with but one house, and that a log one en route. Here one can see the Indian in his native dress, listen to his wonderful tales, and witness the «' grand medicine" dance. You can see him in his birch-bark wig- wam, or you can visit him in his civilized home. The Indian trans- formed into a white man, and the Indian as he was in the oklen time, live side by side. One worships at the altar, the other at the medicine feast.
LAKE SUPERIOR. ll
Bayfieldy The « Village of Fountains."
The following pen picture of Bayfield and Apostle Islands, is taken from " Legends of the Land of Lakes."
Bayfield, to which the railroad has just been completed, is a quiet, picturesque village, where blends in perfect harmony, the luxuriance of modern enterprise and the romance of antiquity. From the lofty hills at whose feet she nestles, bursts forth the sparkling "nectar of the gods," purest water. Indeed, nature in her gener- ous partiality lavishes this, one of the greatest blessings, in such profusion that nearly every cottage sports a fountain, which fact has given Bayfield the appellation of the ' ' village of fountains. " The rippling brooks meandering through the village, and the lovely view of the bay and surroundings, make one feel as though dropped into another world, a land of curious relics and strange old tradi- tions, and when we meet upon the hillside the good Franciscan Father in his brown gown passing along towards the old white church on the brow of the bluff, we feel as if we had really stepped back into a past century. Then going to the government outlook upon the summit of one of the loftiest hills, there awaits us one of the grandest of earthly scenes. Looking north and east, beyond and almost at our very feet, the Apostle Islands, twenty-four in number, lie spread out in all their verdant loveliness. " If a thing of beauty is a joy forever," then surely this most fascinating view will prove a never-ending pleasure. The rugged north shore, with its capes and highlands, is distinctly seen; the mountains to the east and south, and the unbroken forest line reaching far to the west, complete a circle within which the green isles and the white- winged vessels appear like so many toys.
LAKE SUPERIOR. 13
The Apostle Islands.
The following from "Legends of the Great Lakes," will no doubt interest the sportsman as well as the tourist. The author, says: "Of all the Lake Superior country perhaps none can interest the traveler more than these beautiful ' Summer Isles of a Northern Sea.' It is a land of strange delights, a veritable bower of flowers and green trees, made lovelier by the romantic associations of past ages.
"One may fancy that in those early days of history, when the ever-sacrificing Jesuit Fathers pierced the unknown wilderness in their zeal and love of humanity, they must here have found a rest, a place of sweet repose.
' ' If all the year w^ere summer it would not be hard to believe that ' The Apostles ' were the ' inspired islands of the blessed,' of the Greek poets, so verdant, sunny and flowery they are. And then there is the quaint old village of La Pointe, with its ancient relics and legendary tales, slumbering upon the southern shore of Made- line Island famed above all others in the traditions of the past.
" Almost upon the very beach, listlessly dreaming in the sunshine, rests quietly the antique little village, — a single winding street with houses, of another age, strewn along for half a mile, like peas sown 011 uneven ground, but not so thick.
" Many of the houses stand so near the shore that little children can stand in the doors and throw pebbles into the lake. Back from the sandy beach, leading into shady dells and over wooded knolls are the loveliest of winding paths where one can walk for miles with occasional glimpses of blue, sparkling waters and a continuous bower of greenery everywhere.
" The inhabitants are mostly fishermen who spread their nets in many waters during the summer season, and return to winter at La Pointe. The houses are nearly all built of logs, some clapboarded and all plastered with the nat've clay abounding here; instead of lath, twigs interlaced in diamond shape are used.
" La Pointe to-day is but the remembrance of wrhat it once was. In the days of the American Fur Company and John Jacob Astoi% some three thousand people made this their homes. Now scarcely one hundred inhabitants can be counted. Many curious relics of the olden time are still to be seen. The Jesuit Fathers — Allouez and
14
LAKE SUPERIOR.
Marquette — left their undying foot-prints upon this most beautiful shore, in tradition if nothing more; and the Fur Company is still to be remembered in their old log warehouse, now tottering on its feeble foundation, almost ready to fall.
" Among the inhabitants of La Pointe there are several that are very old, and have lived there a half century or more. They have seen La Pointe in its glory, and still live to mourn its decay; — its last decay, for it can never rise and fall again. The new La Pointe will have no resemblance to the past. It will be a city of villas, a fashionable- summer resort. It •will be sought for its health-giving climate, and for the remembrance of the past, the shadows of which are now passing just beyond our reach. What poetry! what love- liness! the very quietude seems full of music! aland of rest, a fit place for those who dream.
" Once out among the islands in a fairy -like sail-boat, the sen- sation is perfectly delightful. The white-winged vessel does not seem afloat upon a watery element, but suspended in mid-air with ethereal depths around and below. Those who have visited both Lake George, the world-famed Horicon, and Lake Superior, affirm that the latter far surpasses the former in clearness and transpar- ency. Echoes from every rock seem to start when the silence of the solitude is in the least disturbed, and become musical as the voice is raised and lowered. Whether sailing among the islands amid their primitive grandeur and intense quietude, or paddling along the main land, all is glorious— a summer's dream.
LAKE SUPERIOR. 15
Ontonagon
Is still innocent of a railroad. There are several pointed that way, but it is not for us to say when they will arrive. Visitors must now travel by steamboat from some one of the other lake towns.
Black, Presque Isle and Iron Rivers are all noted streams, enter- ing Lake Superior east of the Montreal and west of the Ontonagon Rivers. Copper Harbor and Eagle River are to the north-eastward of Ontonagon, and upon the western shore of Keweenaw Peninsula.
Honghton and Hancock.
The twin cities of Lake Superior are situated on opposite sides of Portage Lake, and together are locally called " The Portage." This is really the head center of the original copper mining district. CALUMET, a few miles to the north, is also a fine city of 5,000 inhabitants, made and supported by the copper interest alone.
L'Anse
Is a small, ancient town, located at the head of Keweenaw Bay, and was the site of one of the early Jesuit Missions. It is, on account of its primitiveness, a first rate place for hunting head- quarters. To the south and west are some of the wildest districts in the State of Michigan.
Islipemins/ and Negaunee
Are both "iron mining" towns of several thousand inhabitants. They are in the heart of a wonderfully interesting part of the Lake Superior country, the metropolis of which is
Mctrquetfe.
By all odds the best built and wealthiest city on Lake Superior: " a city peerless in her native lov( liness, with a veritable Bay of Naples, glistening at her feet." Its population is about 6,000, and for a city of its size it has exceptional advantages. Its streets aie broad, well paved, lighted, and are usually bordered with great slabs of serpentine marble or red sandstone, as clean and bright as the finest boulevards in America. Its business blocks are fine, large and substantial. Its residences are grand and palatial upon " The Highlands;" white and comfortable elsewhere. Its people— well
16
LAKE SUPERIOR.
one can only know them by making Marquette a visit. There seems to be an influence in these vast tracts of forest, these unlimited beds of mineral wealth, this grand expanse of inland sea, which in sensibly acts upon the minds of the dwellers there about and wid- ens their perceptions of their duty toward their neighbors; at least, whatever may be the cause, they never fail to show every friendly attention to strangers, and to provide for them the most agreeable forms of entertainment that the neighborhood affords.
The great sport for visitors is to go out in a steamer to the white-fish schools. There are many small steamers engaged in the business, and they can be chartered for a day or longer by parties desirous of participating in the amusement. Sometimes as many as a dozen of these steamers will cruise in company, and, as a school of the eager fish are sighted, the fleet will immediately bear down upon them. There are certain well recognized rules which the steamers observe with regard to each other, and, in consequence, there are often times when a number of the fishermen are so busy that they can hardly haul in their fish and bait their hooks fast enough, while the others are obliged to look idly on and wait for the exasperating fish to come to them; perhaps in the next school their
LIGHT HOUSE POINT, NEAR MARQUETTE.
LAKE SUPERIOR. 17
relative positions will be quite reversed, Some skillful anglers will handle several lines at once, the same as is customary on the cod- fish banks; but the average visitor to Marquette will be quite satis- fied with the catch of one line.
The bay contains several large, well-wooded islands, which are favorite resorts for picnic parties; and, as people visit them in every style of boat, the scene on the bay is often remarkably brilliant and lively. Still longer excursions are made in yachts and steamers to the northern shore of Lake Superior in search of shooting and brook- trout fishing. There is no finer field for the sportsman anywhere in the world, especially as the hunters have not yet become so numerous as to make the game scarce and unusually wary. It should be remembered, however, that the Hudson's Bay Company control the killing of all game on the Canadian shors, in conse- quence of which, permission should first be obtained from the com- pany's local agent.
On that shore you will find nature in all her wildness. The white man's arts and ways have not yet penetrated its wilds, and the In- dian with his peculiar habits can be found without seeking far. This Indian is not the savage of the plains or mountains, but he who has been tamed by the kindly teachings of the patient Catholic missionary, who has been a dweller in the tents of the uncultured child of the forest for generations, and who has lived there really and truly for the Indian's good, and not for the white man's ag- grandizement, as is too often the case with the so-called friend of the Indian. No finer trout fishing is to be found anywhere on the broad earth than can be found on the north shore of this great in- land ocean. Speckled trout, weighing from five to twelve pounds, are often caught by the few adventurous spirits who have for sev- eral years sought these favored shores. The rivers Neepigon arid Michipicoten are the best known of the trout streams of the north shore. Guides to these streams can be easily hired at Marquette, and fishing parties be fitted out with little expense or labor. And here we might drop a hint that may be useful to the stranger: Take an Indian for your guide if you go to the north shore to fish ; see that you get one that does not love "fire water," and one that is not afraid of work.
Near Marquette are several famous sporting streams, the Au Train, Chocolate, Carp and Dead Rivers, besides numerous brooks.
18
LAKE SUPERIOR.
At Marquette steamers leave daily for all South Shore ports east or west. A pleasant trip is to take the steamer to MUNIS ING, a pretty little town down the lake, from whence sailing excursions around the wild shores of Grand Island and to the Pictured Rocks on the main land always prove a "red letter" in any man's life.
Sault Ste. Marie
Is a city of about 3,000 inhabitants. The location of the Govern- ment Ship Canal, and its naturally advantageous position at the foot of Lake Superior will undoubtedly in the near future make a city of no mean proportions. In the rapids at " The Soo" it is said the famous white-fish originated, at least they are found there as well as the trout in great abundance. The surrounding country is still a great resort for wild game. Being a peninsula wilderness there is a tendency to increase rather than dimmish the quantity to be met with. The game is driven in this direction by the hunters from Marquette and Escanaba, and then the water prevents them going further.
GRAND PORTAL— PICTURED ROCKS.
POINTS OF INTEREST
ALONG THE ROUTE TO
DULUTH, ASHLAND, ETO,, OVEK THE 0,, ST P,, M, & 0, ET,
Bright and beautiful is the scene that greets us at every turn, as we wind among the hills and through the valleys of enchanting Wisconsin Every moment seems to bring us something of increas- ing interest. Every village or hamlet becomes an Eden of a brighter hue. The valleys broaden, the hills become higher and the trees and grass appear greener, as we move along.
From Madison, Wisconsin's proud and beautiful capital, with its grand State institutions, including an historical library unequalled in the west; until our journey ends at Ashland, Bayfield, Duluth or St. Paul, there is one continuous panorama which the traveler never fails to admire. Charming, exquisite, words do not express the delights of such a tour A scene from New England— a village nestled beneath the hills of a far reaching valley; pretty white cot- tages, garlanded with vines and half hidden from view by the greenest of trees, stud the brooklet and swiftly running river from mossy bank to the rising hill on either side. Such is not one, but many sights that welcome the tourist and the sportsman to the land of sweet repose. One is apt to moralize and wonder if such scenes are really of earth. Can it be that poverty and wickedness exist here as elsewhere ? Is not everything beautiful within these pleas- ure gardens; these clean white homes? Are not the maidens of the fairest type, the mothers handsome and gracious, and the men all proud, honest and kind ?
The train moves on, and we have now reached the Wisconsin River. All eyes are fixed upon the scene before and beneath us. The glassy tranquil waters, the languid woods basking breathless and quivering in the sultry glare, the tree and vine-covered island, the thicket, the marsh and the prairie, all far below us and reaching towards the setting sun, present a picture never to be forgotten. We are now at Merrimac, a few miles more and we will have arrived at Devil's Lake, where vast rocks, crystal waters and an hospitable.
NORTHERN LAKES.
landlord vie with each other in pleasing the tourist who tarries there. Beyond Devil's Lake the rail follows the course of the picturesque Baraboo almost to its source. From thence to Eau Claire we tra- verse a comparatively level district — apparently the bottom of an ancient lake or sea, in which the present bluffs and castellated rocks were islands.
Forty miles northward from Eau Claire the tourist fairly enters upon the ' ' Happy Hunting Grounds" of the red man. The Indian is gone, or at least he has left only a poor shiftless representative to guard his wide domain.
Following up either of the various tributaries of the Chippewa River, innumerable lakes present themselves at every turn, while trout brooks are so plentiful that one might compare the land to a human body in which the veins represent the streams.
In the vicinity of CHETEK and BICE LAKE there is much that will induce the sportsman to tarry, and if he should sigh for " more worlds to conquer" he would have but to "paddle his canoe" upstream and presto — one lake then another, and soon adinfin- itum. Now that the red hunter has passed away, these almost prim- itive hunting grounds have regained in a measure their former abundance of life.
One of the most beautiful lakes met with as the sportsman pro- ceeds along the chain, is BED CEDAR. It is about four miles in length, and contains several picturesque islands; on one of which formerly grew a single red cedar. From this tree the lake received its name, there being no other of that species known in the vicinity. It is certainly one of the most charming woodland lakes to be found in all the northern wilderness.
LAC COURT OREILLES is also a most lovely lake belonging to the same group as Red Cedar, but is more conveniently accessible from Hayward, a new lumbering town 26 miles above Spooner, where we stop for meals. Court Oreilles is one of the most mag • nificent sheets of water in the Northwest It is larger, more ro- mantic and picturesque than the famous Minnetonka, and is almost unknown to the world. The Indian reservation, which includes a portion of the northern shore, has no doubt been in a measure responsible for its primitiveness. People have generally supposed that the entire lake belonged to the reservation, and were not anx- ious to intrude.
NORTHERN LAKES. 21
For many miles along the line between Spooner and Ashland the railroad follows the general course of the NEMA KAGON— a stream justly famed for its finny inhabitants. At almost any sta- tion until Long Lake is reached, the Nema-Kagon or a tributary is close at hand, and that means trout, bass, etc., to the heart's content. Indeed, one can scarcely go astray in this the fountain head of many waters, for the speckled beauties are truly without number. They glide through tho transparent waters, or dash over a miniture rapid, that ripples and foams like the laughter of happy children — all unmindful of the patient angler standing just below with an alluring fly ready for his prey
The Nema Kagon begins its existence in a lake of the same name, situated some eight miles east of the railroad, and not far from Long Lake No. 1. (There are several lakes in the state that go by this name.)
NEMA-KAGON LAKE contained formerly great numbers of sturgeon, and this fact gave it the Indian name which signifies where sturgeon are found or Sturgeon Lake.
Twenty miles north of Hay ward, nestling among the hills of the great " divide " from whence waters flow to the Atlantic Ocean and to the Gulf of Mexico, is the beautiful serpentine
Long Lake.
Nowhere is there a body of water so charmingly and conveniently located. It is not a lake in the usual acceptation of the term, it is rather a collection of bays or lakelets united by a broad, deep stream. Bold wooded shores encompass the whole, impressing the beholder with a sense of awe and at the same time with a feeling that the beautiful scene spread out before his delighted eyes, was intended all for him and his companions. A sort of kingly feeling —I am lord of all I survey. The scene is like an Arcadian dream, so wild, so still, so grand, amid the forest giants — the grand old pines, the majestic oaks, the hemlocks and the maples. Here breathe we the life-giving aroma, so potent yet so unappreciated by those to whom it has given renewed life, and by those who might, if they only would, be benefited.
Long Lake is about eight miles in length and averages two in
NORTHERN LAKES.
breadth. Its waters are as clear as crystal, very deep and con- tain besides the usual bass, pike, pickerel, perch and muskalonge, the far famed white-fish, a species seldom found outside the Great Lakes. The great northern pike, an entirely different fish from the so-called pike of southern waters which is in reality a pickerel, abound here in great profusion. It is one of the gamiest of fish and is also extremely palatable. It is certainly the fault of the sportsman himself if in this, the "Land of Lakes"— great schools of fish and myriads of game, large and small— he fails to " bag " all his selfish heart may desire. It is not the fault of the fish if the amateur sits upon an inviting log holding his expensive rod and fancy tackle temptingly all the livelong day, or trolls his fan- tastic "spoons " for hours at a time without a bite. It is his fault alone. He should know his business; or pleasure if so it be. Per- haps an old fisherman not a dozen rods away has been kept busy all the while hauling in the finny game and rebaiting a penny hook with the leg of a homely frog.
In gunning for large as well as small game if the amateur knows not the habits of the denizens of the forest, he is sure to buy the game he ships home. A party of three trappers winter before last during a four weeks' sojourn at Long Lake took nine bear, seven- teen deer, eighty-seven musk-rats, three wild-cats, seven wolves and two beavers.
West of the main line to Ashland and Bayfield there is a vast section of country almost uninhabited and covered by innumerable small lakes. Indeed, it is almost impossible to travel through it and be for a moment out of sight of a lake. From this fountain-head t where cold springs burst forth begetting rivulets and babbling brooks that wind and turn a thousand times ere they reach the broader stream, the famous St. Croix has its source. Beyond to the north, just over the ridge, are the " head waters " of the Brule, The " Omaha " railroad intersects the very heart of this delight- ful region at White Birch and Gordon on the Superior division. Gordon, in the days before railroads, was a station on the Gov- ernment trail leading from St. Paul to Bayfield. Just north of Gordon there are a series of small lakes which have already be- come popular. Upper Lake St. Croix is only a short distance from White Birch station. It is still a wilderness of forest and water, a particularly agreeable place for the handler of gun and rod.
POINTS OF INTEREST
ALONG THE LINE OF THE
WISCONSIN CENTRAL RAILROAD.
This is no less a sporting route, or "fishing line "than the one previously mentioned. Each is par-excellence in its way The <; Central" passes through some of the wildest of forest-lands, and its scenery is of a peculiar beauty not met with elsewhere.
In the vicinity of Lake Winnebago there is more wild game shooting than one would suppose, considering the number of populous cities bordering its shores. Westward along the Fox and Wolf Rivers, and especially about Lake Poygan, small game and fish are to be had in abundance. Snipe, plover, wood-cock, prairie- chickens and ducks abound in this section of the state, and all the various species of fish indigenous to Wisconsin waters are found here. DOXY'S ISLAND at Neenah and Menasha is noted, far and near, for the fine fish caught there. It has become a sort of rendezvous for Southern sportsmen, who bring their families with them.
At GILL'S LANDING, WEYAUWEGA and WATTPACA, hunting and fishing are good. The CHAIN OF LAKES near the latter place is one of the finest sporting grounds in this section. Sev- eral members of fishing and boating clubs have built comfortable cottages upon the shores of the " Chain of Lakes," and a well-kept hotel graces as handsome a site as one could wish for.
At Stevens Point the Wisconsin River is crossed, then proceeding along the line the traveler will scarcely be interested except to note the almost unbroken forest, the numerous streams and prosperous villages, until perhaps Phillips is called out by the train "elocution- ist." We say elocutionist advisedly, for we believe there is not in America another road where the brakemen call out the names of places in so clear, distinct and melodious a voice as they do here
24 NORTHERN LAKES.
There was once one we knew on the "Omaha line" who spoke dis- tinctly, but he either died or was promoted.
At PHILLIPS the sportsman can find almost anything he desires in the way of game and fish. Elk Lake is but a few rods from the hotels, and in the immediate vicinity are numerous trout streams.
The region north of Phillips is a perfect paradise for those who enjoy camp life and canoeicg. The numerous streams and lakes tributary to the FLAMBEAU and CHIPPEWA RIVERS furnish unlimited sport to the angler for bass, pike, pickerel, muskalongc and perch. In many of these lakes and streams none but Indians have ever fished. The muskalonge, which are very plentiful, frequently weigh as much as forty pounds; so bring your heaviest tackle.
At PENOKEE the scene changes. Mountains whose summits reach seventeen hundred feet above the lake have taken the place of hills, and a rushing boisterous stream, the place of a quiet brooklet. "The Dalles," and the rapids of Bad River breaking through the hills and between towering rocks make many a delightful picture. In passing through Penokee Gap the railroad crosses Bad River seventeen times in a distance of nine miles.
SILVER CREEK, eighteen miles from Ashland, is a favorite point for parties making Ashland their headquarters, to run out to in the morning on the train and return at night.
In the immediate vicinity of Silver Creek are the famous trout and bass streams— Brunswieler, Trout Brook and Marengo. English Lake near by is also noted for its fish. Twelve miles further north is the great iron bridge over White River, 1,560 feet long and 102 feet above the water. The scenery from the summit of the bridge is simply grand. The eye can look over the tops of trees, across rugged cliffs and through the deep, winding canon on either side for a distance of from five to twelve miles.
Back in the forest from Silver Creek station are two falls in the Bad River, one sixty and tbe other fifty feet high, and the two in. one view. _=_z=_
POINTS OF INTEREST
ALONG THE ROUTE TO
MARaUETTE, OVER THE C. & N. W. RAILWAY.
For many miles after leaving Chicago, over the " Shore Line" one passes an almost continuous line of charming villas, elegant mansions and delightful vistas ; presenting a scene, with the broad blue lake in the background, most beautiful and entranc- ing. Waukegan, Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee, all pleasant and prosperous cities, follow in succession and help to make this favored route all the more delightful. Beyond Milwaukee, this road passes through a rather thickly settled region until Green Bay is reached. At Green Bay the sportsman fairly begins his work. Only a few miles from the city either east, north or west exist some of the finest game haunts to be met with anywhere short of the *'Lake Superior Forests." Almost any of the numerous towns bordering the bay are desirable points from which the sports- man may " take to the wood" in search of that which stimulates but does not intoxicate — game.
The Oconto, Peshtigo, Menominee and Escanaba Rivers with their numerous tributaries are all noted streams for sport. The usual modus operandi for working these streams is to first make an over- land trip to the headwaters of some one of them, and then float or paddle down, fishing and hunting along the way. In order to do this comfortably a party of tnree to five should go together. Two or four carriers should be employed to transport the camp equipage, boats, etc. These carriers will also act as cooks and do the rowing or paddling on the down journey.
A favorite route for this kind of a trip is to go by rail to some point near the head waters of the Escanaba River, and from thence follow the stream to its mouth, at the city of Escanaba.
For the sportsman, Escanaba furnishes every attraction that the
26 NORTHERN LAKES-
heart can wish for, fish, flesh and fowl being all within easy reach. The fishing in "White Fish Bay can not be excelled for white-fish, sturgeon and lake trout; while all the small streams in the back country are full of that delicious game fish, the speckled trout In the woods may be found partridges, squirrels, wood-ducks and other small game in abundance, while the marshes and streams are the favorite haunts of the duck, goose, brant, wild swan and other water fowl. Those mighty nimrods who desire large game can find both deer and bear in considerable numbers at the proper season, and at times the latter become so numerous and bold that the hunt- ers, unless experienced and skillful, are liable to find the tables turned upon them by an enraged and slightly wounded bruin. The shores of Ba de Noquette is particularly mentioned as the haunt of large game.
Diverging from the main line the sportsman, especially'it^he en- joys social life at a Summer Resort, will do well to cast his lines in GREEN LAKE, which is but twenty miles west of Fond du Lac, on a branch of the C. & N. W. Ry. This lake is noted for its excel lent fish, the black bass especially. In the vicinity, all kinds of small game is plentiful. Puckaway Lake, a few miles west of Green Lake, is celebrated as one of the few places in America where canvas-back ducks are found
The Menominee and Bois Brule Rivers formerly were the great- est game haunts in the country. Even now this section furnishes fine sport for the hundreds who go there every year. The C. & N. W. Ry. have a branch leaving the main line at Powers, a station near Escanaba, for the Menominee Iron District, which will carry the sportsman right into the heart of these favored hunting grounds, passing en route Sturgeon Falls Little and Big Quinnesec Falls, etc.
POINTS OF INTEREST
ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE
L- S- &c W.
The wildest of all the wild northern lake land, except perhaps the north shore of Lake Superior, is that from which the Upper Wis- consin River receives its nourishment. The region from Wausau to Vieux Desert, and beyond even to Gogebic and the Montreal, in Michigan, was until very recently a howling wilderness. Three years ago the chance hunter as he toiled slowly through fen and bush, or paddled his canoe down the silvery waters, scarcely dreamed of the transformation that was about to take place. A railroad has been built. Numerous villages and even cities have grown from out the forest, the beautiful forest which nature provided for man's health and amusement.
Starting from Milwaukee, the sportsman, if he be one of a party numbering six or more, will most likely occupy a section in one of the comfortable "Hunting Cars" provided by the M., L. S. & W. Ey. Co. In these cars he eats, sleeps and makes himself generally at home, the same whether his car is on the move or whether it has been switched off at one of the many sporting stations along the line.
Long before reaching the "beautiful land over there," where ducks and geese will never cease, where deer are fair and mosqui- toes rare, oh that wonderful land over there, ..the sportsman, no doubt, will have become interested in the charming scenery passed en route.
Sheboygan, fifty-two miles north of Milwaukee, is one of che pleasantest cities in the State of Wisconsin. Situated as it is on Lake Michigan, whose waters are plentifully supplied with the finny tribe, visitors to the "Evergreen City'* need never lack for sport. In the marshes and among the " Kettles," the name of a range of peculiarly shaped hills, a short distance west of the city,*
28 NORTHERN LAKES.
considerable small game may be found, in season. Also fishing in the small lakes is usually good.
The scenery surrounding Sheboygan and "The Falls "is very attractive. Lovely vistas unexpectedly appear, picturesque hills and valleys, winding streams and rural homes, all are beautiful; and with the hospitality of the people we meet, we are forcibly re- minded of an old- country scene.
At MANITOWOC the next point on the route, the road leaves the lake and bears westward, crossing the Fox River at Appleton.
NEW LONDON, farther along up the line, is quite a place for fish and small game, but for sporting in the fullest acceptation of the term, go a little farther.
Just beyond CLINTON VILLE the watchful tourist will become conscious of the fact that the appearance of the country is grad- ually undergoing a change. The cultivated fields and comfortable looking farm houses have been left behind. Soon we will have fairly entered the great Wisconsin forest. Another of such extent does not exist east of the Rocky Mountains, its eastern, western and northern boundaries being respectively Green Bay the St. Croix River and Lake Superior.
The southern portion of this great forest consists of a magnificent growth of hard-wood — maple, beech, birch, elm and other varieties, interspersed with groves of pine and hemlock. This belt of hard- wood timber extends almost across the entire State and from twenty to thirty miles north and south, of course, varying some- what.
During the open season in Wisconsin (Nov. 1st to Dec. 15th) this hard- wood district is the favorite resort of the deer. In the sum- mer he seeks a cooler region further north, and may then be found in the forest immediately south of Lake Superior. Even in his summer home this handsomest of wild game is not allowed to rest. The open season in Upper Michigan commences ten weeks earlier than in Wisconsin, on account of which this hotly-chased creature is compelled to stand considerable popping at before he meets the reserve force down in Wisconsin.
Beyond the hard-wood belt is the great pine forest, and here we enter the lake region proper, of north-eastern Wisconsin.
PELICAN LAKE is the first that deserves special attention. It has already gained quite a notoriety for the excellence of its fish, bass and muskalonge in particular.
NORTHERN LAKES. 29
The best season for muskalonge fishing here, as well as all other lakes in this region, is from May 20th to July 1st, and from Aug. 20th to Oct. 20th. The bass season is from about June 10th to Oct. 15th.
At MONICO a few miles above Pelican, the sportsman bound for Lakes George and Thompson diverges from the main line by taking a branch road, "which carries him to a station near these lakes, or to RHINELANDER, a brisk little city, three miles be- yond.
Resuming our way up the main line we first pass CLEAR WATER LAKE, said to be an excellent fishing ground.
Six miles further and we come to EAGLE RIVER STATION, a town of considerable expectations. It is a very desirable location for sportsmen, being situated on the Eagle River and in the midst of a magnificent chain of lakes known as the EAGLE WATERS. There are twenty-six lakes, large and small, included in the Eagle series ; some are extremely beautiful, while all are literally alive with bass, pike, pickerel, perch and muskalonge. The latter is said to excel all previous records elsewhere. However that may be, we know they are extraordinarily plentiful and of the finest flavor. Sportsmen will find the best of accommodation at Eagle River, and can engage from Messrs. Perry & Lawler, Indian guides, boats, etc., for tours either through the Eagle Waters or for more distant points. Both of these gentlemen are personally acquainted with every stream and lake in this section of the State.
Among the numerous lakes north of Eagle Waters is the historic " LAC VIEUX DESERT," and upon an island in this lake early French explorers found not only an existing Indian village but the remains of an ancient city and large garden beds; these latter giving the vicinity its name— the "Lake of the deserted gardens" translated into French, "Lac Vieux Desert."
The Wisconsin River here finds its true source, although the waters of a thousand lakes augment its volume as it moves along, sometimes sweetly serene, again turbulent and rapid, in its course.
To mention the names even of the larger and finer lakes "where there are so many, would prove of little or no benefit, as name is nothing; it is the lakes that produce the fish and game that the sportsman goes to see.
A favorite trip with sportsmen is to follow down the Wisconsin River from Lac Vieux Desert, to where the Eagle River joins the
30 NORTHERN LAKES.
Wisconsin, thence up the Eagle Eiver and into the various lakes at pleasure.
Between Lac Vieux Desert and STATE LINE STATION is what is called the ''divide," — the highest land, where waters flow in opposite directions almost from the same spring. The Ontonagou River, flowing into Lake Superior, has its beginning only a short dis- tance from the source of a stream flowing into the Wisconsin.
At the south western extremity of Lac Vieux Desert, and where the Wisconsin River first appears, the old military road leading from Green Bay to Ontonagon, touches the lake. An old pioneer trader still lives at this point, which was once a " station" on the mail route aforesaid. There is no trading now, the Indians are gone, but the good-natured back-woodsman keeps busy all the same. He is always obliging and most happy when he can do a favor to one of his fellow men.
From the lake at this point to State Line Station, distance about five miles, there is a very good road cut through the forest.
Four miles west of State Line Station is Black Oak Lake, where Mackinaw trout are found in great abundance.
In this region there is no lack of brook trout, the various streams are fairly alive with them. At WATERS-MEET, eight miles north of State Line, a number of these small streams unite, a fact which has suggested the pretty name borne by the town. '' Duck Creek," and " Great Trout Brook," the latter the east branch of the Ontonagon; have already become quite famous for their finny beauties.
Seventeen miles further along the line and GOGEBIC STATION is reached. LAKE GOGEBIC is four and a half miles north of the station. Hotel accommodations, boats, etc., are provided at the lake. Sportsmen who have visited Lake Gogebic loudly proclaim its praise. It is a veritable paradise for black-bass fishermen, as the streams en- tering the lake, are for trout anglers. Lake Gogebic is quite a large sheet of water, extending twenty miles in length and reaching to" •within twelve miles of Lake Superior. It is bound to become a great resort not only for fish and game, but for health and pleasure.
Up to about the first of July, trout are taken in this lake almost as frequently as bass, and by the same methods, and they are usually of the largest size. Later in the season trout can only be taken in the tributary streams, whose waters are sought by them on account of their being colder than the lake.
POINTS OF INTEREST i
— TO —
SPORTSMEN IN MINNESOTA.
The lakes and streams of Minnesota are as a rule quite dissimilar to those of Wisconsin and Michigan. They are usually larger bodies of water, the shores are less wooded, and inclined to low banks. The fish seem to average about the same in each of the three States, but some species of small game, especially the prairie- chicken, are more plentiful in Minnesota.
IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, and especially that portion bordering upon the north shore of Lake Superior, the sportsman can find plenty of large game, as well as small ; and in the vicinity of Lake Winnebagoshish, Leach Lake, Mille Lacs and Red Lake there is some of the finest sporting in the world. Either one of these four inland seas is larger than the largest of Wisconsin's in- terior lakes, and one of them covers over 300,000 acres ; but the grandest of all hunting grounds that may be counted accessible are in the vicinity of the LAKE OF THE WOODS.
To reach this truly wild domain the sportsman must travel over- land some seventy-five or eighty miles or go round by the way of the St. P . M. & M. Ry. to Winnipeg, and then by the Canadian Central Ry. to "Rat PortagQ," a station on the most north-westerly extremity of the lake. For those who can spare the time and en- joy back -woods life, this is one of the finest trips possible. There is no lack of game; deer, bear, elk, cariboo and all the smaller varieties abound. The lake is about seventy-five miles in extent, and is so full of islands and bays that without a guide a man is liable to get lost in short ordei.
A favorite route for returning is by water, all the way except por- tages; traversing Rainy Lake and River, Sturgeon Lake, Arrow and Pigeon Rivers, etc., toLake Superior. Along this route one can hunt
NORTHERN LAKES
or tish as his inclination dictates, and always with a bounteous showing.
South east of Rainy Lake some forty miles is Vermilion Lake, a body of water which will some day become popular as a resort. At present it is fast becoming famous as the "region of metals," gold, silver and iron. There is no lack of game in any of these northern wildernesses. Vermilion Lake is eighty five miles from Duluth, but so primitive is the intervening territory that one might suppose himself a thousand miles from civilization.
West of Duluth along the Northern Pacific Ry there are plenty of good hunting and fishing grounds. In the vicinity of Brainard, and the head waters of the Mississippi, and in fact wherever a lake or stream appears, game or fish haunts may be looked for
THE PARK REGION of Minnesota, including within its borders over a thousand lakes, is probably the most noted of any section of the State. The St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Ry. pierces this famous region in all its parts St Cloud, Sauk Center, Osakis, Alexandria, Ashby, Fergus Falls and Brown's Valley are all familiar names to the knight of the gun and rod. In the neighbor- hood of each of these towns are lakes — from one to a dozen all more or less wooded and many quite primitive These waters produce all the usual varieties of fish; bass, pickerel and wall-eyed pike pre- dominating Water-fowl, prairie chicken, partridge, grouse and other game birds are plentiful.
Along the Sioux City division of the C.( St P M. & O. Railway there is good fishing and considerable small game, especially in the vicinity of St. Peter, Mankato, Minneopa Falls, Lake Crystal and Worthington. Westward from Kasota, Redwood Falls, Lake Ben- ton and along the shores of the UPPER MINNESOTA RIVER there is also good sport, especially about Big Stone Lake, the source of the Minnesota.
Lake Traverse, just over the dividing ridge, and one of the sources of the Red River of the North, is equally as good for sport as Big Stone Lake.
These two lakes, extending for about 50 miles north and south, form part of the boundary line between Minnesota and Dakota. The waters of one flow into the«Gulf of Mexico, and the other into Hudson's Bay; yet their head- waters are only about one-fourth of a mile apart.
Although one third of the State of Minnesota is said to be covered
NORTHERN LAKES. 33
with forest, brook trout are not abundant. Only in the northeastern part of tne State, and especially in the streams flowing into Lake Superior, can they be had in any quantity.
In the vicinity of ST PAUL and MINNEAPOLIS there are a great many lakes, most of which produce the ordinary fish. White Bear Lake and several others furnish Wall-Eyed Pike, in addition to the usual species. Minnetonka Lake, with its hundred thousand visitors each year, still produces quantities of fish and some small game
Several of the lakes ot Douglas county, contain besides the usual varieties, together with white-fish, a bass variously designated: Oswego, silver and gray bass. It is equal to the black bass in gaminess and flavor.
Routes to Minnesota.
From Chicago there are three principal trunk lines to St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The CHICAGO, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS & OMAHA RAILWAY is one, and has been previously described, under the head of " Routes to Lake Superior."
The Route to St. Paul via the WISCONSIN CENTRAL R. R. has only recently been opened up; the completion of that portion of the line lying west of Chippewa Falls having be'en necessary, in order to form a through route from Milwaukee and Chicago. It is now to be considered one of the trunk lines. It passes en route the cities ol Stevens Point, Chippewa Falls and New Richmond; and crosses the St. Croix River a few miles above Stillwater.
The route via the CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY is as follows: After leaving Milwaukee the traveler passes through some of the most charming scenery to be 'met with in the North-west. Objects of interest follow one another through- out the entire journey. Pewaukee, Hartland, Nashatah and Ocono- mowoc, remind us ot the beautiful lakes we are passing and of those hidden from view just beyond the groves and the hills, as we move along. At Watertown the Rock River is crossed, and at Kil- bourn the Wisconsin; where are to be seen many fascinating glimpses of the far-famed "Dells." Then for many miles the cas- tellated mouDds, previously mentioned, present themselves on either side to the view of the tourist, as the train glides softly on.
At La Crosse the Mississippi River is spanned, and thenceforth the
34
NORTHERN LAKES.
road follows along the banks of the Monarch stream until St. Paul is reached, passing on the way several beautiful cities and the famous Lake Pepin.
The C., M. & St. P. Ry. have another line to St. Paul via Madison, Prairie du Chien, Owatonna, etc., besides there are several other lines over which one can reach St. Paul; but they are each one hundred miles longer than either of the three first mentioned routes.
For SOUTHERN MINNESOTA. The CHICAGO & NORTH- WESTERN RAILWAY, via Madison, Elroy and Winona; or the CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL via La Crosse, or Prairie du Chien, are the most desirable routes.
MINNE-OPA FALLS, NEAR MANKATO. MINN.
POINTS OF INTEREST
IN
MICHIG-AN - LOWER PENINSULA.
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan, especially the northern part of it, varies somewhat from the country we have been describing, but not so much as to affect the varieties of game and fish. Here, too, is a " Land of Lakes" as lovely and inviting as nature anywhere provides. The great forests of Michigan have not all been taken yet by the ruthless hand of the destroyer. Game is still plentiful. Deer, bear, grouse, wild turkey, quail, and water-fowl abound. The lakes and streams swarm with pickerel, pike, muskalonge, trout, and that other most dainty fish, the grayling.
There are two principal routes leading to the northern lakes of Southern Michigan, viz. , the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad, which pierces the " Grand Traverse region" and the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad, which passes more to the east, touching Saginaw Bay and penetrating the heart of Michigan's pine forest.
En route for the GRAND TRAVERSE region the sportsman from Chicago can take either one of several railway lines eastward to a point of intersection with the Grand Rapids and Indiana Rail- road, and then proceed directly northward to destination. From southern and eastern points the traveler need not come to Chicago at all.
Eighty-five miles beyond Grand Rapids the sportsman will have fairly entered upon the borders of a "land of lakes and streams." At Tustin, Clam Lake, and the crossing of Manistee River, a stream famous for its fine grayling, the sportsman will do well to tarry. If Traverse City is the point of destination the traveler will change cars at Walton Junction.
TRAVERSE CITY is situated upon a peninsula formed by the Boardman River and Grand Traverse Bay, and is a splendid point for fishermen's headquarters.
36 NORTHERN LAKES.
The bay is a beautiful sheet of water, and is remarkably clear, so that a stranger is always deceived as to the depth in which he is fishing. The bay contains muskalonge, white-fish, bass, lake trout and pickerel in great abundance, and the adjoining small lakes are similarly stocked, with the exception of lake trout. These lakes are situated at a distance of from three to twelve miles from Traverse City, as follows: Cedar Lake, three miles; Long Lake, six miles; Bass Lake, eight miles; Carp Lake, eight miles; Traverse Lake, ten miles, and Betsie Lake, twelve miles. The Boardman River, which here empties into Grand Traverse Bay, is considered to be one of the finest trout streams in Michigan, and all its numerous tribu- taries are stocked with thousands of this delicious fish.
This portion of the State is not only a rich field for the sportsman, but, if he times his visit in the early autumn, he will find the orch- ards laden with luscious fruit, the peaches of this section being especially fine in appearance and flavor. Camping-out is preferred by many sportsmen, but good accommodations can be had at the country inns and farm houses, and at trifling cost.
From Traverse City to Petoskey the country is broken, its hills covered with magnificent maple forests. Nestled in its valleys are some twenty pretty lakes, varying in size, some twenty miles long, others of lesser note, all clear as crystal, and abundantly stocked with the finer varieties of fish. There are six quite large rivers — the Boardman, Cedar, Rapid, Boyne, Jordan and "Bear. These, with their numerous tributaries, are alive with brook trout. Eight years ago this was an unbroken forest, known only to lumbermen. To- day there are probably two hundred summer cottages and quite a number of comfortable hotels. Five summer resort associations have been formed — three on Little Traverse Bay, near Petoskey, and two at Charlevoix, eighteen miles down the coast.
Returning by rail to Walton Junction, Fife Lake, four miles north on the main line, is reached. Bass, pike, and pickerel in the lake, grayling in the Manistee, five miles southeast, and brook trout in the Boardman, six miles north, are the attractions of this locality Continuing north, the traveler next finds himself at Kalkaska, on the Boardman River, already referred to as an excellent trout stream. Three miles northwest is Rapid River, one of the finest trout waters known.
Still farther north the railroad passes within a few miles of the head-waters of the Intermediate, Grass, Jordan, Deer, and Boyne
NORTHERN LAKES. 37
Rivers, all excellent trout streams, and the latter is also well stocked with grayling. Boyne Falls Station, on the Boyne River, is in the centre of a very fine trout region, being distant only a few miles from the Jordan, which is regarded by many as being by far the best trout stream in North America.
PETOSKEY, a very pretty village, is situated on the south side of Little Traverse Bay, at the foot of the high bluffs which here line the water's edge. The neighborhood is one of surpassing beauty, and the view of the bay and of Lake Michigan is of un- speakable loveliness. To the north, just across the bay, is the village of Harbor Springs.
Continuing northward, the road reaches MACKINAW CITY, on the Straits of Mackinac, thirty-five miles from Petoskey. At Oden, a station five miles from Petoskey, situated at the head of Crooked Lake, connection is made with steamers of the Inland Route for Cheboygan., passing through Crooked Lake, Crooked River, Burt Lake, Indian River, Mullet Lake and Cheboygan River, a route noted for its sublime scenery, as well as for the fine fishing to be found at many points.
CHARLEVOIX, situated on Lake Michigan, eighteen miles nearly south-west from Petoskey, is reached daily from Petos- key by Hannah, Lay & Co.'s line of steamers. The location is picturesque — at the mouth of Pine River, which stream forms a passage into Pine Lake for the largest lake steamers. The great trout streams of Michigan, the Jordan, and Boyne, as well as others, are of easy access by steamers plying on Pine Lake.
TORCH LAKE, the next point of interest, is reached by steamer from Charlevoix. It is situated about one half mile from Grand Traverse Bay, at the head of the beautiful sheet of water bearing the same name.
The trip from Charlevoix to Elk Rapids is a most delightful pas- time, besides giving the sportsman an opportunity of stopping off at some of the finest fishing grounds in northern Michigan.
The side wheel steamer "Queen of the Lakes" makes regular trips through the chain of inland lakes, and will drop its passengers off at any point desired.
Steaming a few miles down Torch Lake we touch at a landing known as Russell's, where a stage is in readiness to convey visitors to Intermediate Lake. If the tourist desires, he can be dropped at the mouth of Clam Lake, which flows into the east side of Torch
38 NORTHERN LAKES.
Lake, Passing up Clara Lake he will presently come to a narrows leading into Grass Lake, which is joined to Intermediate River, a stream affording fine fishing. Continuing down Torch Lake to its end, the steamer enters Torch River, a crooked stream three miles long, with charming windings through the woods, and thence passes into Round Lake, a body of water about two miles in breadth by four in length. Then from Round Lake it passes into another connecting channel called the Narrows, which leads to Elk Lake. Rapid River enters Torch River about midway, and this, too, is a fine trout stream. Passing through Elk Lake, the steamer finally reaches Elk Rapids.
Along the MICHIGAN CENTRAL line soon after passing Bay City, the sportsman enters upon an Eldorado. Just beyond OTSEGO LAKE. a summer resort of fine prospects, we come to STE. HEL- EN'S STATION, where there is a charming lake four miles in length, abounding in bass, pike and perch. Here is one of the sources of the Au Sable River, a stream famous for its fine fish.
At ROSCOMMON STATION an arm of the Au Sable River is crossed; swift> clear, crooked, and its waters alive with grayling, hundreds of which may be caught in a day by any skilled angler; while the vast forests along the banks abound with deer, turkey, and other game, including an occasional black bear. Five miles from Roscommon, by a beautiful drive through the pine woods, is Higgins Lake, ten miles long and four wide, surrounded by romantic scenery. The lake has no inlet, and the water in the center has been sounded nine hundred feet without finding bottom. The water is so clear that a nickel can be seen on the bottom at a depth ot forty feet, and it has the peculiarity of always showing at least four distinct colors on the surface, dark purple, blue, and two shades ot green. On picturesque points, around the shores are groups of summer hotels and cottages, pagodas, boat and bath houses, and all the evidences of a fashionable resort. The water swarms with bass, pickerel, land-locked salmon, native white fish, and the finest perch that are found in this country. A few miles away is Houghton Lake, one of the largest and most romantic of all the inland lakes, its waters are full of fish, black bass weighing from six to eight pounds being common.
At GRAYLING STATION the main Au Sable River is crossed, and seven miles west is the Manistee River, both famed for their grayling fishing. The two rivers head within a mile of each other,
NORTHERN LAKES. 39
one flows into Lake Huron and the other into Lake Michigan. Every description of game is found in the forests and jungles along their shores. Grayling is a flourishing little town in the heart of a wild and picturesque region. Near it is Portage Lake, one of the most beautiful sheets of water in the State. With its delightful climate, fine hunting and fishing, and pleasant society, Grayling has every requisite of a popular summering place, and is the great center of the grayling fishing region.
CHEBOYGAN, where the Michigan Central train sweeps out in sight of the green waters of Huron, and the white crested waves of the Straits of Mackinac, is a beautiful little city of four thousand inhabitants, with broad, white beaches, and a fleet of yachts and row boats always at command. The surrounding lakes abound with white-fish, lake trout, pickerel, pike, muskalonge, bass and perch, while the streams swarm with grayling and brook trout. Deer are plenty in the neighboring forests, some bears are found in the deeper glades, and every lakeside is alive with ducks, snipe and other small game. At Chebojgan is the eastern end of a chain of exquisite lakes and rivers, that cut the peninsula entirely in two; and a trip on the dainty little steamer, that makes daily trips through this necklace of lakelet beads strung on a silver-river thread is one of the delights of a season. A run of six miles up the Cheboygan River and Mullet Lake is reached. This is a magnificent sheet of water, twelve miles long and six miles wide. It is two hundred feet deep, with sloping beaches of white sand, and waters clear as crystal, and literally alive with black bass, pickerel, muska- longe, and swarms of splendid white-fish, of which great numbers are taken by spearing. Muskalonge weighing from forty-five to forty -eight pounds have frequently been caught.
Sturgeon River, which empties into Indian River near Indian River Station, is said to afford as fine grayling fishing as any stream in the old or new world.
The Trout Brook and Little Black River, near Cheboygan, abound with brook trout, and a good fisherman can easily catch from one to three hundred a day.
The vast wild-rice fields at the head of Mullet Lake afford splen- did duck shooting, and snipe and woodcock are abundant. Deer and bear are found in plenty, and the whole region is a sportsman's elysium.
From Mackinaw City, the terminus of both the Grand Rapids &
40
NORTHERN LAKES.
Indiana, and the Michigan Central Railways, the staunch steamer, Algomah, connects with all trains for ST. ION ACE, the eastern ter- minus of the Detroit, Mackinac & Marquette R. R., and for MACK- INAC ISLAND, the far-famed "Wonderful Isle," the "Gem of the Straits." A description of the island seems hardly necessary, as its beauties and attractions have so often been dwelt upon by many eminent writers.
For the sportsman Mackinac offers ample facilities for reaching desirable fishing grounds, and for obtaining outfits.
Twelve miles to the northeast, scattered along the southern shore of the Upper Peninsula, are the Chaneaux Islands, an enchanting cluster of some seventy-five or eighty beautiful islands, varying from two miles in length to mere green spots a hundred feet across, clotting the crystal waters which rush by, twenty to forty feet deep in the narrowest channel. Here, truly, is the home of the gamy black bass, the voracious pickerel, the delicate white fish, the beautiful lake trout, the muskalonge and the perch.
JORDAN RIVER, M'CH.
THE ART OF FISHING.
The "regular season" for fishing is between the months of April and November. The best time of the day during the summer months is from sunrise to two or three hours after, and from two hours preceding sunset until an hour after that time In the colder months the best hours are from twelve to three for the fish are shy at biting until the air is warmed by the sun A warm, lowering day is, of all others, the most propitious; on a cloudy day, also, suc- ceeding a moonlight night, the fish will bite readily, the most favorable winds are south and south-west — easterly the most un- favorable.
Avoid a position where a shadow will be cast upon the water. Do not indulge in laughter or loud conversation; and in every way be as unnoticeable as possible. Many people believe, erroneously, that fish have no understanding; nevertheless the presence of an animal or bird does not frighten them or cause them to shun the surface of the water as does the presence of a man.
If the water be still, throw in small quantities of ground bait; if a strong current, large pieces; do this quietly and cautiously, for fish are so wary and suspicious that it requires the nicest delicacy and management to circumvent them
When there is a strong wind the angler must seek an eddy or sheltered pool for thither the fish will be attracted by the flies and other baits which the wind may have blown into it.
FISHING TACKLE. — For general purposes a rod of about twelve feet in length is the most convenient, but fifteen and even eighteen foot rods are sometimes used when the nature of the " grounds '; require it.
LINES should be perfectly twisted, even, and of a color as near the shade of water as possible A light brown, gray or white are colors preferred by the practical angler- The casting-line for fly fishing — that which is affixed to the line on the reel — must be of gut,
42 THE ART OF FISHING
and of about the same length as the rod it should be of a uniform thickness and its strength tested before using.
FLOATS are usually procured with other tackle, but some prefer making their own. In this case a fine grained cork is perforated by using a small red-hot iron, and through this aperture is put a quill that exactly fits, then the cork should be cut into the shape of a pear, and ground smooth with pumice-stone. If durability and gayety be desired, a coat of varnish applied over some bright colored paint will then be in order. A cork float should swim perpendicu larly in the water, so that it may betray the slightest nibble, and should be carefully poised by fastening a few shot on the line.
A HEEL is a very useful assistant to the angler, as it enables him to lengthen or shorten his line rapidly, thereby allowing him to play his fish with the greatest ease and certainty. It must be kept per- fectly clean and well oiled.
When fastening the hooks on your lines, use strong, but fine silk and if you can get it near the color of your bait, so much the better; wax the silk thoroughly with shoemakers' wax, and wrap it four or five times around the body of the hook, then place the gut or hair on the inside of your hook, and continue winding the silk tightly round till you have wrapped it about three parts down the hook Whipping is finished off by slipping the end of the silk through the last circle and drawing it tight Knotting, by laying two pieces of gut or hair together, one overlapping the other some three inches or so, then holding one end in the left hand, while forming a simple slip knot on it; then turning the other end to the right, and doing the same, after that drawing the two together, which makes the knot complete. No direct pull will ever loosen this water-knot, though it can be undone easily.
The common angleworm is a universal bait for fresh water angling They grow almost everywhere except in sandy soils. The common white grub is also used successfully in trout fishing. They are found in fresh-ploughed earth and under old stumps, decaying foliage, etc. Trout or salmon spawn will attract trout quicker than any other possible bait, but it is not always to be had. Grasshoppers, caterpillars, flies, locusts, beetles, etc., are also good for trout. The minnow and other small fish are very popular live baits The frog is an excellent bait for pickerel They are sometimes used whole, but when the hind legs are used they should be skinned The crab and also the clam is often used in northern waters
THE ART OF FISHING. 43
Baits are preserved in various ways Angle ^orms can be retained fresh and active by packing them in an earthen pot with common moss. The moss should first be washed in clean water and pressed almost dry Every three or four days the washing must be repeated, by which process the worms may be kept in excellent condition for as long a time as desired.
SALMON and TROUT ROE are tempting baits for many other fresh water fish besides the trout. Old fishermen preserve it as f ollows First put it in warm water, not hot enough to scald much — then separate the membranous films — rinse it well in cold water and hang it up to dry The next day salt it with two ounces of salt and a quarter of an ounce of saltpetre to the pound of roe. Let it stand another day and then spread it to dry. When it becomes stiff put it in small pots, pouring over each some melted mutton tallow. You can. then use a pot of preparation as you may want it for bait. It is excellent for almost any fry in fresh water.
PASTE BAITS are made as follows: Shrimp paste is made from shrimps, being prepared in every respect similar to the salmon-roe, oefore given. Wheat, rye, barley and other grains, soaked in water and then boiled in milk, are good baits for small fish in still water Soft bread and honey, kneaded together, is also good. Grated cheese worked into paste with soft bread, honey, and saffron, is fre- quently used.
The PIKE or PICKEREL is fond of shady places, and in summer he frequents the parts of the stream nearest where the pickerel weed grows. Pickerel generally spawn in March or April. In winter they get under rocks, or stumps, or into convenient deep holes, and they can be taken then with small live fish bait. In rivers you can gen erally catch pickerel near the mouth of some small stream empty ing into the river , the fall of the year is the best time for catching them. In the hot summer months they seldom bite at all, except, perhaps, on a very windy day. In the fall, too, they are in better condition In the more northern waters they are sometimes taken as early as August.
The tackle generally used for pickerel, is a stiff ten foot rod, with a reel and some 50 01 60 yards of flax line, which should be protected near the hook with gimp or wire The Limerick or Kirby salmon hook is used. The size is 0 to 5, according to the size of the fish, lu a running stream , both the sinker and float will be found neces- sary. The bait should be a small live fish, or frog, or the hind leg
44 THE ART OF FISHING.
of a frog skinned. Worms are sometimes used in small streams, where the water is clear, and the game small. In using live bait, when the pickerel takes it, do not draw your line too quickly. The bait itself, if properly impaled, will be very lively and will be apt to make a violent effort to escape its enemy. Inexperienced ang lers may take this movement for a veritable bite; but when the bite comes, there is no mistaking it. In impaling a small fish for bait, pass the hook under the back fin, just under the roots of its rays. This will not disable the fish, and it will appear lively in the water. When using live frog bait, you pass the hook through the skin of the back or belly or the back muscle of the hind legs. The live frog is generally used on the top of the water— if not, you should let him rise occasionally to take air, When the pickerel has seized your bait, give him plenty of time to swallow it, and also plenty of line Somtimes he will hold it in his mouth and play with it before gorging. On bringing him to land, be careful of his jaws, for he has a set of teeth sharp as r^eedles.
THE PERCH spawns a* the end of April or beginning of May, depositing it upon weeds, or the branches of trees or shrubs that have become immersed in the water; it does not come into con- dition again until July. The best time for fishing for perch is from September to February, it haunts the neighborhood of heavy deep eddies, camp sheathings, beds of wreds, with sharp streams near, and trees or bushes growing in or overhanging the water The baits for perch are minnows, brandling or lob worms, and shrimps. The tackle should be fine but strong, as with a fish bait a trout or pike may frequently be hooked. Perch, unlike fish of prey, are gre- garious, and in the winter months when the frosts and floods have destroyed and carried away the beds of weeds, congregate together in the pools and eddies, and are then to be angled for with greatest success from 10 to 4 o'clock at the edge of the streams forming such eddies.
TROUT, which are caught in the numerous running streams of the United States, vary in color, appearance and size, with the quality of the soil pertaining to the streams they inhabit. The fish called 'black trout, which are found in sluggish muddy streams do not belong properly to the species. Trout will vary as much in shape and flavor as in the color. They spawn in Sep- tember and October, and the time for taking them is in the Spring and Summer. You may fish lor trout until the 20th of August,
THE ART OF FISHING. 45
though the finest ones are taken in the months of May and June. They bite the best in March and April .
You can hook trout in several ways. Some prefer fly fishing, and this is the most interesting mode in summer. The rod to be used should be light, and the line made of hair, or silk . The fly should be placed on a length of gut, or a single light hair. Do not fish with your back to the sun. Stand as far from the stream as circumstances will allow. Always throw your line from you — never whip it out. Fly-fishing is only suitable for pleasant weather. The best time of day is early in the morning or just at sunset. The line should be about half as long again as the rod. It should be thrown up stream, and let the fly gradually float down, and if possible fall into the eddies where the fish are apt to retreat in case of alarm. Let your line fall into the stream lightly and naturally, and when you raise it, do so gently and by degrees. Only a small part of the line is allowed to be in the water. The end, or leader, should, as before stated, be a single light hair, if you can get one, as the trout is ex- tremely shy and suspicious. If you stand on the bank of the stream, throw your line as far up as possible, as you cannot expect to catch a trout opposite or below where you are standing. If bushes intervene between you and the stream, (which is all the bet- ter,) do not rustle them or make a noise.
The usual length of a rod for trouting is fourteen feet, though longer or shorter ones may be used, according to fancy or conven- ience. The bottom of the line, unless you have a light hair, should be strong silk-worm gut. The size of the hook will depend upon your flies. Nos. 4 and 5 are used for worms and beetles, and 7 to 9 for small flies. If the flies are too small, put two on the hook, as these insects frequently fall into the water in couples. The largest and best trout lie* in shallow water, faced up stream, or else they lie near the surface. They are found on the south, or shady side of the stream. It is necessary to be exceedingly cautious not to show yourself, for if they see you they vanish for the day. Grass- hoppers and other small field insects are frequently used with sue • cess when other baits fail.
Worm-Pishing for trout is practiced with similar caution. Af- ter a rain, when the water of tha brook is a little riley, you can catch trout by this mode — sometimes very rapidly. It is usually practiced in the spring. A single split shot will generally be enough to sink your line, unless the stream is deep and rapid. The rod
46 THE ART OF FISHING.
should be of bamboo, 16 to 20 feet long, and the line shorter than the rod. Keep the point of your rod exactly above the bait, steadily following it, as the bait drags along the bottom. When the fish takes the bait, do not let him run with it, but keep a steady hand. Do not jerk, but play gradually with him. II the day be clear, and the stream shallow, the best way is to wade up the stream cauti- ously, throwing your line far up, and letting it come gradually to- wards you. The fish always heads up stream, and you should not fail to remember if he once sees you he vanishes.
Bottom Fishing with blue-bottle flies is practiced as follows:— Use a silk or fine hair line, with gut leader, and a small quill-float. Hook No. 10 is about the proper size. You will want one or two split shot on the line. Fill a glass bottle with the common blue- bottle-fly. Bait your hook with two of these flies, and let it sink nearly to the bottom. In this way you may catch trout in ponds, or deep water deposited by running streams, and often in the slack water of mill dams, when you could not catch them in the stream itself. This kind of trout fishing is practiced in July and August.
When neither fly-fishing nor bottom-fishing can be practiced, in consequence of forbidding circumstances of water and season, trolling can be resorted to as an excellent substitute. Trolling is divided into three parts, viz: sinking and roving, trolling with gauge and snap-hooks and spinning. Sinking and roving is practiced with a live bait; a minnow or roach for the common trout or perch; bleak, gudgeon, dace, or roach, for pike or large trout. The best general bait for all sorts of trolling is the gudgeon. The rod used should be a long bottom one, with a good winch, and prepared plaited silk trolling line. For foot line, about a yard and a half of the best gut. The link to which the hook is tied, should be of fine gimp, if pike are sought for; but gut, or three-twisted hairs, will do for trout and perch. The baits must be strong and lively, and placed on the hooks with as little injury to them as possible. Allow the bait to swim here and there, generally at mid-water, but in deep plact s, deeper, drawing it up gently to the surface now and then, letting it sink again, and guiding it to the best looking spots of the locality. Snap-baits are mostly used at seasons when pike do not feed with sufficient voracity to pouch their baits promptly. Their merit lies in allowing the troller to strike quickly, before the fastid- ious fish, suspecting something wrong, has time to eject the bait from his mouth. The rod used must be short and stiff. Snap bait?
THE ART OF FISHING. 47
are two-fold — one, which does not spring when you strike the fish, and the other which does. The first- named consists of three hooks — two large ones, tied back to back, with their barbs pointing differ- ent ways; and one smaller hook tied on at the top of the shanks of the others, and pointing straight out from them. The spring-snap is generally used with dead bait; it requires deep insertion in the bait to allow the spring to act. which it will not do without some considerable resistance. Spinning is a dashing, killing method of angling, and the practice of it requires considerable muscular exer- tion. The best spinning rod is made of a single piece of East India mottled cane, fourteen or sixteen feet long, well ringed, with a screw winch, requiring no winch fittings. With a rod of this description, large trout can be trolled for in the deepest and widest waters. In narrow streams, the angler can spin with a very small portion of line out, and almost avoid casting, the length of the rod allowing the bait to be dropped noiselessly wherever it is wished, and to spin it accordingly. The baits used in spinning should be of the most brilliant colors, the brightest minnows, or gudgeons, you can procure. The hooks used in spinning should be of the bright steel color of the wire, not changed to the ordinary blue hue of hooks; and they should be whipped on with light colored silk, waxed with white wax. You can use the live bait, or an artificial bait, as is convenient. Some sportsmen are very fortunate with the artificial bait. A stiff rod and reel, with the same tackle as before described, and no sinker — is all that is required. The boat should move gently, and let your line drag far in the rear. With artificial bait the fish is hooked almost instantly. If you use live bait be exceedingly care- ful in determining when the fish has gorged it. You should give him several minutes after he has seized it, for this purpose. On see ing the bait, a pickerel will generally run off with it, and will then stop to gorge it, but does not always do so. The sign that he has swallowed it, is a peculiar slackening of the line, which experienced anglers can easily understand. But if he has not gorged the bait, he will soon start on a second time, and sometimes will stop and start off the third time. In these cases, you should never be in a hurry. When you are convinced that he has taken down the bait, draw a tight line, and strike for your fish. If he is large, you should play with him until he is quite exhausted, or you may lose him in the attempt to land. The difficulty of taking a pickerel from the hook may be obviated in a measure by gagging him. For this purpose some
48 THE ART OF FISHING.
anglers provide themselves with prepared sticks of various lengths. If the hook is completely swallowed, as is frequently the case, open the stomach in the middle, cut away the hook, and slipping the knot that holds the gimp, draw it out that way rather than through the mouth.
BLACK BASS— the small-mouthed variety," says a well known angler, " is the only fish worthy of being called a substitute for the trout and salmon. One of the most prolific and hardy fish, living and thriving in waters where no member of the salmon family could survive, the small-mouthed black bass is without doubt the coming game fish of this country. There is yet much ignorance of its hab- its and characteristics, even among sportsmen who are supposed to be 'up' in all things pertaining to game fish'.'''
There are many ways of fishing for the black bass, the most scien- tific and sportsmanlike, but the most unsatisfactory as to results as a general thing, being fly-fishing. Trolling, both with minnow and spoon, is a favorite style of fishing for bass, and still-fishing with many varieties of bait is another. As to fly fishing, and in fact all kinds of fishing for bass, there is a great diversity of opinion among sportsmen, arising from the fact that locality has much to do with determining the best taking methods. That special flics for partic- ular waters are necessary, all experience and observation have settled beyond dispute, and, therefore, the fly fisherman needs to observe the prevailing conditions of the locality where he intends to cast his lines if he would have the aroma of a bass in his basket. "The state of the weather, wind, clouds, sun, and water," says a veteran bass fisherman, " and the special food the bass are seeking, on the day, all have to be considered." Generally, early in the season, where the water is high and discolored — speaking now as to streams — light-colored, white, and gray flies and bright tinsel - bodied flies are the most enticing. Later, dark brown, black, green, and orange-bodied flies are the most attractive. Although there are hundreds of varieties of combinations of the colors used in making bass-flies, Seth Green says that there are really only four different flies necessary for successful bass-fishing — provided, of course, that the angler knows how to use them. These four are the Grizzly King, the Gov. Alvord, the Seth Green, and a fly made with white goose feathers wings, red worsted body, wound with tinsel, grizzly hackle, with red on his tail. These four flies are used all at once on the leader in the following order: The upper fly on the leader is the
THE ART OF FISHING. 49
last one mentioned above, the next the Grizzly King, and the lower flies the Alvord and the Seth Green. The Ferguson — a peacock, yellow and scarlet combination — and the Page fly, a scarlet and guinea feather pattern, are also good. They may be procured at any tackle store, but the trouble generally with these ready-made flies is that they are tied on hooks of too large size. For Seth Green flies the hook should be no larger than a No. 1. A Sproat No. 2, or Lim- erick No. 1 is the proper size for a Ferguson fly.
The baits that are used in still-fishing for black bass are numerous and varied. The live minnow, the common angle worm, grasshop- per, crickets, beetles, frogs, fresh water mussels, cray-fish, shrimp, and there is no rule for deciding which of these lures is the best, for one day the bass will give everything the go-by for the angle-worm, the next the clipper will be his choice, another day the grasshopper, and so on. The black bass is the most capricious fish in this respect that swims, and so it behooves the angler to have a variety of baits in his boat, and in good condition, for, while the bass is a thorough gormandizer, he is particular as to the serving of his feasts.
Still-fishing, so called because the angler remains stationary in a boat anchored in the fishing ground or fishes from the shore, is the simplest, but most commonplace and unexciting of all the methods employed to kill bass. A twelve-foot rod, not too stiff, a strong line, as inconspicuous as possible in the water, and a hook neither too large nor too small— say a No. 1, and a large fund of patience make up the outfit of the still-fisherman.
A black bass always swallows a minnow head first. The minnow should be hooked through the back from side to side, above the backbone, just forward of the dorsal fin. If the hook strikes the backbone the minnow will soon die; if not, he will live and be lively for a long time. Many anglers prefer to use a cork or bobbin on their lines to gauge the depth of water, as it is best to have the minnow a foot or so above the bottom. The error that inexperienced anglers for bass make, when their bait is struck, is that when they see their line rushing away, and feel the strike of the fish, they " pull up." They never get their bass, and for an excellent reason. When a bass goes for a minnow, it goes like a railroad train, and striking the bait, carries it four or five feet before the impetus of the rush is overcome. Then it stops, and then the tyro thinks his time is come to hook his fish, but he simply jerks the hook away
50 THE ART OF FISHING.
from it. When the bass stops he shifts the minnow in his mouth to get it head downward, proceeds to swallow it, and then moves away. At this moment the angler should give a quick jerk, not a "swishy" pull of his line out of the water, and he can safely bet that his bass is hooked.
In fishing with cray-fish the bait must not be kept suspended in the water like the minnow, because the cray-fish lives on the bot- tom, and is there sought by the bass. A great annoyance in fishing with cray-fish is their tendency to crawl under stones and logs. A good plan to prevent this, in a measure, is to cripple the cray fish by breaking off one of its claws A bass always swallows a cray-fish tail first. The hook should be placed in under the bottom of the tail, near the body, and brought through to the back. The same precaution is necessary when the bass strikes a cray-fish as is required with the minnow if the angler would be successful in hook- ing his fish. If fishing from a boat, the angler should throw his bait as far from him as possible, and the finer his tackle the more likely he is to secure a good catch. With angle-worm, grasshopper, or the other small baits, the bass in striking usually takes them en- tire into his mouth at once, but even with them it is safer to wait for the second moving away of the bass before the attempt to hook him is made. The black bass angler should remember, also, that from June until September the best fishing is in deep water or under the shadow of dams or falls. In September and October they live more in rapid deep currents, lying in eddies formed by bowlders, tree roots, or half submerged logs. In lakes they lie where the shores and bottoms are rocky, and among the weeds and lily-pads. In trolling with a spoon the latter should be small and attractive.
As a rule bass will not rise to the surface for the fly, and this is one reason that fly fishermen, unacquainted with the customs of the fish, and angling for it after the manner of casting for trout, have uni- formly failed of success with bass, and voted bass fishing a humbug. The brightest fly should be the highest on the leader, and the flies should be sunk nearly to the bottom, and trolled upward. The bass invariably darts for the bright fly, but, seeing the others on his way up, takes one or the other of them. If it is one of the upper flies, the chances are that before the fish is landed, another bass will have taken one of the flies below it, and the angler will find his skill taxed to the utmost by two of the hardest fighting fish in American waters. If the first bass is hooked on the lower fly, however, there
THE ART OF FISHING. 51
will be no strike by the second fish. While, as a rule, the bass will not rise to the surface for the fly, there are exceptions to the rule, especially on the edge of swift water, or of pools at the foot of dams or falls. Instances have been known of black bass rushing out of the water to meet the fly. But the surest way of taking bass with a fly is trolling beneath the surface. When casting for black bass in a river where there is a current, the flies should be thrown abreast of the current. As they swing around with it, keep the line taut and let them be carried with the water. When they have dropped to a position immediately below the angler, he should draw them toward him gently, and if there is a bass within sight of the gaudy lures it will make its presence known. The casts should be contin- ued in that order until the angler is satisfied he is having his labor for his pains.
The Muskalonge.
The Muskalonge belongs to the pike family, and is the largest of fresh-water fish, frequently weighing from thirty to sixty pounds. Similar rules and precautions should be observed in fishing for this "the wolf of the waters" as are required for pike and pickerel. Trolling is almost universally practiced, either with hand-line or, if the fisherman be an expert, with rod and reel, and in each case with a No. 8 Slzinner or similar spoon.
The Northern Pike.
The species known as northern pike is somewhat similar to the muskalonge, though the markings are entirely different. He does not grow to so large a size as the muskalonge and is only found in northern lakes. He is one of the gamiest of fresh water fish. He fights like a wild-cat from the time he is hooked until he is landed, or escapes, while the common pike or pickerel, makes a spurt or two when first hooked, and then allows you to drag him in as you \vould a chunk.
The Sucker. — (Carp.)
The sucker, like the cat-fish, and flounder, rather prefers streams •with muddy bottoms, but it appears that they will thrive in almost any fresh water, and it will not be long before angling for carp in our northern waters will become quite common, through the "plants" of the fish commissioners.
52 THE ART OF FISHING.
Carp should be fished for with a line some fifty feet in length, done up on a reel, and without a pole. There should be six or seven hooks on the line, baited with stale light bread which will float on the surface of the water, where the carp comes to suck it down. When they have taken the bait and begin to feel the hook, they start off. Then reel up the line, playing them until they are worried out and are ready for landing. When one is caught, the others become very shy, and can not be induced to come near for some little time.
The Grayling.
This beautiful fish, only in America, to be found in the waters of Northern Michigan, is of a purplish gray color, with silvery white belly, and small, bluish-black, irregular spots on the sides. The dor- sal fin, which is very large, has along its insertion a black line, next comes one of rosy pink, then a black one, and a final one of peach blooming tint. Beginning at the sixth ray is a row of dull green spots, then a row of fifty -six very small ray spots, and lastly a band of dusky hue. The average length of this beauty is about ten inches, but he has the strength and dash and gaminess of a young whale. The grayling, unlike the trout, loves the clear, sandy bottom, where the water is pure and not very swift or deep. They are found in schools, almost beyond number, lying side by side, with those many- colored dorsal fins waving like rainbow banners in a gentle breeze. Make a motion or a sound, and they are off like a thousand flashes of prismatic sunshine, only to return when the scare is over. Wade into the stream above them, drop your fly into the water and let it quietly float down over their pool. There is a sudden twirl, a wild rush in the region of your fly, and you have hooked the prince royal of piscatorial prizes. Carefully give him. the line, always keeping it " taut," and if you have two or more flies on your line, the chances are that you will speedily have a fish for every fly, and then the battle begins. They fight desperately for life and liberty, and it requires a,ll the skill imaginable to handle and land them. When the " playing" is done and the fish tired out with their struggles, they will lie almost motionless on the "water as you reel them in. Slip your landing net with the greatest care under them, and your triumph is complete. The prettiest and gamiest fish of the new world lies like an animated prism in your basket.
FISHING IN THE GREAT LAKES.
A large proportion of the inhabitants residing upon the shores of Lake Superior, Michigan and Huron, are fishermen by profession, earning their living, not in the manner of the disciples of Isaac Walton, but by the use of pound nets. The ordinary angler when he casts Lis line in these great waters looks and feels exa&peratingly diminutive by the side of these wholesale fish butcheries. It has been estimated that Lake Superior alone produces annually over two million white-fish and trout, say nothing of the other varieties taken, which would certainly number together another million.
The labor and capital required in managing these fisheries is far greater than is generally supposed. The " plants " are usually made in deep water, sometimes to the depth of eighty or ninety feet. The places selected for planting pound nets is at the edge of banks or shoals where the water rapidly deepens. Here the fish rise and seek the edge of the shoal in quest of small fish, on which they feed. The "pot" of the net is shaped like a heart, and wings are extended from the larger end of the heart, where there is an orifice for the fish to enter In groping for the edge of the bank, the fish strike the wings, and, feeling along the wall of thread, they are soon entrapped in the heart, and are too unwise to contrive how to escape. The net is fastened to the bottom and kept in place by stakes or long slim poles of tamarack or maple, often ninety or a hundred feet in length. These have to be driven into the bottom six to eight feet.
These stakes are peeled and smooth, so that rings, fastened in the end of the net, can run easily on them, up and down. When it is desired to "lift" a catch, three or four men go out in u pound boats," a craft as large as a yawl, and flat bottomed, and gradually raise the edges of the heart or pot of the net. They are generally rewarded with finding therein a flopping, plunging mass of trout
54 THE ART OF FISHING.
and whitefish, varying veiy little in size and weight. A good lift is from twelve hundred to two thousand pounds. At six cents a pound a lift is not an unprofitable job; in fact it is a lift of the kind men talk about oftener than they make. There are many men along these shores that have become wealthy in the fishing line. Some of ihem have a large capital invested in the business. The smaller fishermen use gill -nets, but their catch is smaller and not so valuable. The cost of planting an ordinary pound-net, including material, is eight hundred dollars.
For fishing in waters where sturgeon is a specialty, an inch line a mile or more in length, containing perhaps three or four thousand hooks arranged on "snoods" of the proper length is often used. Large buoys are attached to the main line at intervals of about ten feet in order to keep it on the surface. Men follow along the line at regular hours attending to the "catch," detaching the fish, rebait- ing, etc., until a boat load is secured, when a return to the shore is in order.
Winter Fishing.
Spearing fish through a hole in the ice, practiced more or less in all parts of the country, although fascinating in the extreme, is not recognized as legitimate sport by those who engage in the diversions of the rod and line during the warm months only. If this is ille- gitimate then what can be said of the wholesale manner of " net- ting " fish under the ice, now largely practiced in all the Great Lakes.
The professional fisherman does his work systematically, and usually without much discomfort, even if the thermometer does range from ten to twenty degrees below zero. He first erects upon the ice a small shanty, or a wigwam if the fisherman should happen to be an Indian, as is often the case. Within he keeps a good fire, either in a cheap stove or directly upon the ice. The fisherman himself is always warmly clothed with a triple supply of shirts and socks. The boots that he wears are of felt, with rubbers outside.
THE ART OF FISHING. 55
Moccasins are often worn over heavy German socks, and in these it is said the feet never get cold. An industrious fisherman will al ways associate himself with one or more of his neighbors, thereby facilitating the handling of the finny game. A co-partnership of this kind will often manage a number of nets, each of which they visit daily to make "a lift," as the process of examining the nets is called. When a sufficient number of fish are accumulated "to make a load," all of which are frozen stiff the moment they are taken from the water, they are packed or carried loosely in a rough sled, or toboggan, by two or three dogs, to the nearest fish- buyer.
A fisherman who is too poor to own a net, often goes angling or 'bobbing" as it is locally called. Others also "go bobbing" for the sport it affords. The same perseverance and luck attend them here as usually characterize their efforts in summer angling.
A small round hole is made in the ice, through which the fisher- man drops his line, carrying a large hook, baited with a small herring, a piece of pork, or other meat. When the right depth of water is reached he does not have to wait long for a bite. Then he pulls out one of the finny monsters, a huge trout perhaps; if not, then it is a whitefish or a sturgeon, for they are almost as common.
Those who make a business of "bobbing" sometimes attend to forty or fifty holes. At each of these holes is placed a forked stick, one prong holding the fish line, and to the other is attached a small red flag. When the fisherman sees one of the red flags go down he immediately rushes to the spot, and generally has the satisfaction of pulling out a fish of no mean proportions. It sometimes makes lively work for him, and flags go down faster than he can attend to them.
The fisherman's life on the northern lakes, in some respects, is to be envied. He is active when necessity compels. He is happy when he has enough, and is always independent. His labors are in- variably supplemented with a frolic, and his heart is ever kind towards his fellow-men. And then how satisfying to eat the deli- cious whitefish, cooked in the good old way, fresh from the water, solid and plump. The good wife removes the skin, while the fish is still frozen, the process reminding one of peeling a banana. After thoroughly cleaning, the snowy flesh is rolled in flour and then fried with butter. Those who have never eaten the far-famed whitefish, dressed and cooked in its native home, know not the true delicacy of this, the most palatable of all the finny tribes.
JUDSON FALLS, SLATE RIVER, NEAR LAKE GOGEBIC.
HOW TO SHOOT WILD GAME.
WATER-FOWL.
Care must be taken not to fire too soon, distance being very decept- ive on water, many good aims are made worthless through mis- calculation. The scent of the water-fowl is exceedingly keen and to get within range it is better to keep to the leeward, than to bear directly down upon them.
Ducks are hunted with decoys in the early spring and fall. Wild geese are shot from behind screens on the margins of lakes and rivers. The hunters decoy them by imitating their cries. Tame geese may also be used as decoys.
Professionals sometimes lure ducks right up to the shore, where they can literally butcher them at their leisure. It is done by hav- ing on hand a red blanket, or scarf, or shirt, which is shaken in the sedge near the water, and if there are any ducks near they will swim right toward it, so close up that their breasts will touch the shore. It seems to fascinate them. When they are close up, a man may rise up and cock his gun without scaring them away; only keep the red object moving all the time. They will swim around in a circle, and the gunner, watching his chance, lets drive when he has a lot of them in range, raking in the greater part of the flock. This is commonly called playing them in. As many as forty have been killed in that way at one shot with both barrels. Those not shot will fly away a little distance, but in half an hour or so they can be played in the same way, and so on until the flock is about exterminated. Young birds are especially subject to be fascinated in this way, and often they can be toled from a distance of one hun- dred yards to the shore. A reddish colored dog, trained to run backward and forward along the beach, is excellent to attract them. Color alone will not atract them, but motion with it will. The idea is supposed to have come from the foxes. Old hunters tell of hav- ing seen a fox tole in a flock of ducks by running up and down the
SHOOTING WILD FOWL.
shore until they were close enough for him to snatch one by the head and make off to the woods with it.
The most successful way of shooting ducks and geese is from a battery or rig, as the contrivance is termed. To prepare a battery take thirty or more yards of light muslin or canvas, and with oil-color paint it to look like water. This is stretched on a light frame, and fixed firmly on the windward side of a broad platform twelve feet long by eight feet wide. In the center of the platform, sunk below its surface and level with it at the top, is a water tight box, only big enough for the shooter to lie down in on his back, with his gun in his hands. Along the platform are rows of short pins, from which depend a series of weights that sink the platform until it does not show more than an inch or an inch and a half above the surface of the water. The painted canvas to windward keeps the water from swashing over and sinking the concern. Then around the platform for thirty yards are placed over a hundred de- coy ducks, and the battery is complete. The keenest eye of either man or bird would fail to descry its existence at a little distance^ The shooter lies down in the coffin-like box, his feet leeward, witli another, his tender, in a small boat hidden in the sedge four or five hundred feet away. The shooter is absolutely helpless should any- thing happen to him. His communication with the tender must be by noiseless signs, and there he must lie and wait until a flock of ducks, attracted by the decoys, come within range Then he sits up, blazes away at them with both barrels, and sinks back to reload and wait for more. The dead ducks float off to be gathered in by the tender, who has chosen a position with reference to the direction of the wind.
There are quite a number of varieties of duck to be met with in this section of country. Coots, the smallest of all the species, are rather numerous and easily taken. Sportsmen have killed hundreds of them in a few hours. They are a dumb sort of duck, and may be shot within a few yards. The sheldrake duck is a little larger than the coot, but is fishy, hardly eatable, and not valuable. The broad- bill is a good duck, medium-sized and very numerous, yet old sportsmen say twenty used to be killed for one that is killed now. It is only a moderate day's sport to kill a hundred or so from one rig, but reliable hunters tell of killing as many as 350 a day. Occasion- ally a man will drift into a flock of them and kill fifty to a hun- dred in an hour or so.
SHOOTING WILD FOWL. 59
Next to the broadbills come the black ducks, which feed in shoal water, and do not dive like the others. They hunt around the meadows and on shallow flats, and are very wild, and one must hide very carefully to get near enough to them for a shot. The red- heads, or red headed broadbills, follow the black ducks in size, and delicacy of flavor. They are considered almost equal to the canvas- backs, and rank next to them in price. Of teal, which is an excel- lent duck and in steady demand, there are a great many, both the blue-winged in summer and the red-winged in winter. There are some canvas-backs, but much more numerous are the gray and the mallard ducks. There are many wood-duck and widgeon, and in winter time lots of whistlers. Brant are scarce now. They used to be plenty, and one man thought nothing of killing forty or fifty a day. They are from one to two-thirds as large as a goose. Of wild geese there are still a good many.
Wood-Cock Shooting.
The shooting of the wood-cock requires more skill and experience than any other game. It is an uncertain bird, that requires careful treatment, but is worth all the trouble. A team of small spaniels is all that is needed in the way of dogs; as nearly everything depends on the trigger. When the cover is beaten, look sharp for the cock, as your shot must depend very much on his humor, whether he is all alive or sluggish. Sometimes, he will not stir until fairly beaten out of the cover, and then a shot will bring him down. Then again he will be off and away almost before the cover has been touched.
When in places likely to hold a cock, towards evening try the mosses, banks of rivulets, and boggy bottoms. At that time the birds are on the 'road ' or feed, and, consequently, are more easily met with than when laid up in the snug harbor of some old osier-bed, or beneath the root of some monarch of the forest When flushed, the wood-cock seldom, if ever, pitches on feeding ground.
"In the south, 'fire-hunting ' is usually practiced by those desirirg- specimens of this extremely wily bird," says a southern sportsman, u but they seem to have different habits there from here, or at least have better opportunities for evading the hunter and preventing him from enjoying the shooting of them from behind a dog. The swamps and brakes are so dense about the haunts of the wood- cock in Mississippi that it is next to impossible to make jour way into
60 SHOOTING WILD FOWL.
them, and in these great thickets the birds lie close all day. When night comes, however, they rise and seek the cultivated open lands, where the soil is soft and loamy, and where they feed, as they do here, on. the worms that find their natural breeding places in such soil. The outfit ot a fire-hunter before the war consisted of a gun, a big pine-knot torch, and the strongest slave on the plantation. iSmce the war the slave has been left out of the outfit, but the tradi tion is preserved by hiring some muscular darkey to perform his duties. The torch might more appropriately be called a pillar of fire, for it is a fire made of the fattest kind of pine-knots in a large iron wickerwork cage, secured to one end of a stout pole twelve or fifteen feet high, and carried aloft by the negro. It casts a bright light over an area of several rods around. The hunter or hunters, as soon as it is dark, proceed to the wood -cock ground. The torch bearer lights his pine-knots and walks slowly along, The hunter follows closely. In the bright light he soon sees the lustrous, stal- ing eyes of the wood-cock, disturbed in its feeding, fixed with a startled look and apparent fascination on the glaring torch. Some hunters will not wait for the bird to rise, but will kill it as it sits. The more scientific gunner waits till it risec with its peculiar cry, and brings it down by a, quick shot. Tho shot hac got to be quick, too, for the bird is seen but a second as it flashes upv/ard, and ic then lost in the darkness beyond the boundaries of the torch rays To bring down a wood-cock before it escapee in Uic darkness requires a hunter that Zmowc his business. It often happens that a scoro ex birds will rise at the same time and whirr for an instant in the glare of the torch, c.'iid co, generally- there are several hunters in. r, party, and one evening's fire-hunting may result in tho oaring cf a hun- dred birds or more."
Snipe Shooting*,
Snipe are to be met with in low mar shy "grounds. In spring they disperse themselves to higher and more carp situations. Snipe- shooting affords excellent diversion 5 but those who attempt it should be possessed of c, strong constitution, and considerable forti- tude and energy j wot and dirt must not be cared for, nor must tlie coldness and severity of the weather bo hoeded= Snipe are difficult to hit when on tho wing, owing to the irregular twistings of their flight; but this difficulty is soon surmounted if the birds are allowed
SHOOTING WILD rOWL. 61
to reach to a certain distance, when their flight becomes steady and easy to traverse with the gun; there is no reason to be apprehensive ot their getting out of range of the shot, as they will fall to the ground if struck but slightly with the smallest grain. Snipe like many other birds always lly against the wind; therefore, the sportsman by keeping the wind at his back, has this advantage of the bird when it rises, that it presents a fairer mark. In severe weather, snipe resort in numbers to warm springs, where the rills continue open and run with a gentle stream. These are then the only places where they can hunt for food, on account of their long bills. Snipe fly better in windy weather than in any other, and as they then usually make a momentary halt or hanging on, that is the time to fire. When they cross, also, by firing well forward, they seldom escape. Snipe are among the most inconstant of birds. A frosty night will send away the whole of a flight that had been there the day before; and again in two days' time they may return, if open weather and a dry wind succeed, A regular snipe locality should be tried not only every day, but twice a day, so uncertain are snipe in fixing them- selves even for a day,
Partridge or Grouse Shooting.
The best time Tor partridge shooting is in the morning early, or late in tho afternoon. Always endeavor to get cross shots; this may usually be effected by walking across or heading your dog when pointing,, If you go straight from, him to the birds, they will gen- erally go straight; away. Birds when Hjing across you, present a far easier shot, anc! expose a more vifal part.
During the crtfizo season, the \. acr.t-stubbles are the best spots for holding partridges 2n stormc and fo^3 partridges lie very close, and in line days which f oQow storms. Heavy 'rains cause them to lie extremely close; and therefore, as well as for other reasons it is not favorable for sport.
The ruffed -grouse or pheasant, pinnated-grouse, sage-hen, blue- grouse and spring-tail grouse, arc only different varieties of the part- ridge family, and have to be hunted in about the same manner. The blue-grouse, a native of mountainous regions, is one of the finest game birds on the continent. It is sometimes called the fool-hen, a designation no doubt given it because of the fact that a hunter may stand and shoot fifty of them out of a tree, one after the other,
62 SHOOTING WILD FOWL.
without one attempting to fly away, so long as he begins at the bot- tom bird and selects them in that order on the way up. If he shoots one of the upper birds, however, its fall will be the signal for all the rest to fly and away they go. The fool-hen lives in trees in the winter, the same as the ruffed-grouse. When startled they stand erect on the limb as motionless as a knot. While standing that way one may shoot at them as many times as he likes, but the bird will never move unless it is hit. The pinnated-grouse or prairie-hen formerly were abundant in all parts of America, congregating prin- cipally in dry open districts, where patches ol brushwood and trees abound. They are still plentiful on our north-western prairies, in season, and are generally hunted for at early sunrise.
Quail Shooting.
Of all migrating birds the quail is most hiphly esteemed for the table, It is nearly allied to the partridge, Dut having a more slender bill, a shorter tail, longer wings, no spur, and no red space above the eyec Quails excel partridges in their power of flight. They never perch on trees, invariably lighting upon the ground They are of a brown color streaked with different shades, and the "wings are mottled with light-brown, the throat white, with dark -brown bands in the male. The bob-white and ruffed-grouse c.ro often eroneously called quail.
TJie Loon.
We will hardly dare say "loon shooting, " for it is very seldom that one is shot. He is the hardest of all birds to hit. His quickness is amazing. He will dodge a rifle ball by diving after he sees the flash, and this at a distance not gr^nto- than eight rods. A friend of the writer once succeeded in hitting one with a bullet at long range by creeping through thick clover toward a small and se- lect company of these wild birds that were having a little picnic of their own in the water at sunrise. Unless they can be so taken they must be shot, if at all, by having the gun already aimed at the probable spot where the loon will rise, and firing at the very in- stant the water breaks, even before the bird's head really appears.
Tke following is an account of the loon by one of the best observ-r ers of birds in America:
SCENES ON THE KOUTE TO ASHLAND.
SHOOTING LARGE GAME. 63
" One of the strong and original strokes of nature was when she made the loon. It is always refreshing to contemplate a creature so positive and characteristic. He is the great diver and flier un- der water. The loon is the genus loci of the wild northern lakes, as solitary as they are Some birds represent the majesty of nature, like the eagle, others its ferocity, like the hawk; others its cun- ning, like the crow . others its sweetness and melody, like the song birds. The loon represents its wildness and solitariness.''
Deer Hunting.
The best method for hunting Deer is by the " Still Hunt." This is done by finding fresh tracks, and then with care and quiet- ness following the trail till the deer is found. If care is exer- cised in approaching, a good shot can generally be obtained. The following directions are given by a practical hunter:
" For • Still Hunting, the hunter should provide himself with a good rifle and a pair of deer skin moccasins. When finding the trail he should walk carefully and keep a good lookout ahead as deer are always watching back on their trail. When routed, they almost always stop on hills. In order to get within gun shot, it is necessary to circle round and come up in front or at the side — al- ways circling to the leeward side, as their sense of smell is very acute. The deer, when the early snow comes, usually get up and ieed till about iO o clock, A. M., when they lie down till about 3 o'clock, p. M., then they start on a rambling excursion till near the next morning. In these excursions they almost always return to the place from whence they started, or near to it."
In Still Hunting, when the buck, doe, and fawns are found together, shoot the doe first, the buck will not leave till you get another shot,
A fact not generally known is that between the hoof of a deer there is a sack with its mouth inclining upwards, and within this sack is a musky secretion which escapes during violent exercise, leaving a scent upon the ground as the deer passes. In some, especi- ally old bucks, the musk is so abundant that the hunter has no trouble in following a trail by the scent.
HUNTING BY TORCH-LIGHT has become one of the favorite modes of killing deer, and is said to be extremely fascinating. A
64 SHOOTING LARGE GAME.
party of two or three take a boat on a dark night and proceed to paddle cautiously around the lake within a rod or two of the shores. The huntsman who occupies the forward seats wears a curious-looking head-dress upon which is fastened a dark lantern. As the boat noiselessly proceeds, the occupants remaining like grim statues, the light from the lantern throws a sudden gleam upon the edge of the forest jungle. Deer take advantage of the darkness to seek the water, and, as the boat comes upon them unawares, the light suddenly shines in their faces, which they curiously watch and wonder at, not being able to see the boat and the enemy. By this means the hunters are enabled to get a good view of the deer, and when one is seen in this manner he generally falls before the unerring aim of the shot-gun, which is the favorite weapon for this peculiar sport.
Another favorite mode, as practiced by city hunters under the tutorship of the old hunters and guides, is to shoot from stagings erected in trees near deer salt-licks. An old rotten log in the near vicinity of a deer trail is chosen for the purpose, and kept well salted, and a sort of ladder is made in a convenient tree and at a distance of between thirty and forty feet a narrow seat is con- structed. About sundown the hunter takes his position in the tree and silently awaits the approach of the deer, on their way to the lake. They always stop to lick the salt from the log, when the hunter, who patiently waits through the long hours of the night, is rewarded with a shot, and if he be at all proficient he is almost sure of one or more deer.
Stagings are also erected in trees close to narrow channels joining two lakes, through which the deer must pass on their night rounds. When two or more parties join for a hunt of this character, both of the stagings indicated are manned, and if the night be not too light and the hunters remain still as death, plenty of game is sure to be encountered.
Large Game.
GUNNING FOR LARGE GAME is a sport that will soon only be found in the mountains and on the far-western plains. Formerly there roamed at will over this once wild region vast herds of buf- falo, elk, antelope, moose and cariboo. There still may be found
SHOOTING LARGE GAME. 65
upon the shores of our northern lakes by the practiced hunter a stray specimen of the elk, cariboo, or perhaps the moose, but the common deer and black bear are now about the only large game to be found in any quantity.
All animals should be approached from the leeward side, that your presence may not be scented. If mounted upon a horse lie down close upon his back, a practice that will often deceive the game. A horse alone does not disturb a fellow animal. Always shoot for the heart. The ball should be aimed just back of the fore leg, a fe-vc inches above the brisket.
An Old-Time Badger Hunt.
A favorite mode of taking the badger is by the use of hounds. A moonlight night — such as the negroes of Virginia and Alabama delight in for a 'possum or 'coon hunt— is selected for the purpose, and about 11 o'clock all the badger- earths within a radius of a dozen miles are stopped, and the master sallies forth with his eager and expectant dogs.
Upon arriving at the first earth the dogs are laid on, and, al- though hours may have elapsed since "the varmint" set forth upon his nightly prowl, the scent remains so strong that the hounds have rarely any difficulty in picking it up and answering to it. Presently a crash of music rings through the dark woods, tipped upon their edges with clashes of silver falling from tke moonbeams, and the meditative badger, engaged, perhaps, two or three miles away in digging out a rabbit's nest or climbing a tree in pursuit of honey, pricks up his listening ears and recognizes the sounds proclaiming that his enemies are abroad. With a shambling run he makes off without more ado toward the nearest earth, and finds, to his con- sternation, that it is barred against his entrance. A few sharp scratches with his powerful claws convince him that the earth is too securely stopped for him to be able to force his way into it within the time at his disposal, and again he darts off into the forest with his senses preternaturally quickened by the rapidly approaching notes of his pursuers. Another earth is tried in vain, and the hotly- hunted beast now takes in despair to the wood. His stumpy legs are plied with a will, and, like the wild hog of Central India, he shuffles along at a speed with which inexperienced sportsmen would
66 SHOOTING LARGE GAME.
little credit him. The scent which he leaves behind him is, how- ever, breast high, and before many minutes the foremost dogs over- take him. Then may it be seen with what undaunted pluck and tenacity the hunted badger fights for his life. He is seized perhaps by a fox-hound who has never tackled a badger before, but the cast- iron jaws of the quarry imprint a mark which sends the assailant hopping away on three legs, and making the night vocal with his howls. The rough terriers close in their turn with the enemy, and issue shortly from the fray sorely the worse for the encounter. At length a couple of old and experienced hounds make a concerted attack, and the hotly -beset but indomitable animal yields up the ghost, without a single cry of pain or a symptom of cowardice, fighting grimly to the end.
This harmless and roughly-treated animal lives by day at the bottom of deep burrows, where he sleeps away his time upon a very comfortable bed of hay and grass, until the evening approaches, when he arises and goes forth in search of food. He supports him- self chiefly on roots, grass, fruit, and slugs, with an occasional young rabbit for an appetizing morsel. When undisturbed by his mortal enemy, man, he is one of the merriest of animals, seeing that he has little to dread from any fellow quadruped or bird of prey. His terrific bite, as sharp and tenacious as a steel-trap, secures him from molestation, and when, being like all bears fond of honey, he plunders a wild bees' nest, the stings of its enraged occupants pro- duce no sort of effect upon his shaggy coat and thick skin. Perhaps the badger is most in his glory at the mouth of his hole, or under the root of a tree, which protects his flanks and body up to the shoulders from" attack; for then woe betides the unwary dog which attempts to draw him forcibly from his lair. His under teeth are so planted, and the leverage of the lower jaw is so powerful, that, •when the mouth closes, nothing short of a stupendous effort 011 the part of the gripped animal can unfix the grimly vigorous bite. Simultaneously the badger's little eyes twinkle with apparent glee, and his whole body writhes as it "were \vith fun at the sensation that he has got tight hold of his victim. At this critical moment men who are aware of the creature's habits often step in to redress the balance in favor of their dogs. The nose is the badger's vulnerable point, and a smart tap upon it curls him up at once, and leaves him at the mercy of his quadrupedal assailants.
WINTER MAIL ROUTE.
G7
FOXES are seldom hunted in our northern "Sporting Resorts" with hounds; a practice most fascinating. Will not our Southern and Eastern cousins "sound the horn" and with the "music of the race" awaken " the slumbering echoes" and charm the gods of Nature ?
The Winter Mail Route.
LEAVING THE LA POINTE P. O. , BOUND FOR BAYFIELD, ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CHANNEL.
The above was engraved from a photograph and is true to life, just such a scene as the writer has often witnessed. These dogs appear, and actually are, very intelligent. A team of three will haul eight hundred to a thousand pounds. They travel where horses can not go, being light of foot a slight crust on the snow holds them up. They are largely of the Newfoundland breed, but many of them are mixed, dog and wolf. Many wonderful stories are told of these almost human animals. They have saved many lives, and have often performed feats that required mental calcula- tion and judgment, even beyond the capacity of many human brains.
LEGENDS
OF THE
Land of Lakes,
— BY —
GEO. FRANCIS.
PAKT 1. — Lake Superior and Sur- roundings.
PART 2. — Wisconsin, Interior Lakes, etc.
For Sale by all Booksellers.
THE
\ Complete Sportsman,
BY
GEO. FRANCIS.
A 200 Page Book, Finely Illustrated.
Is now in course of prepara- tion for next season.
SCENE ON LAC FLAMBEAU, NEAR WIS. CENT, R. R.
SPORTSMEN and TOURISTS
who desire special or pre- cise information relating to any of the numerous Summer Resorts and Game Haunts of the Northwest, can learn all they may require by in- dulging in an "Annual Certificate Card" of the "Land Seekers' Bureau of Information."
SEE ADVERTISEMENT ON ANOTHER PAGE.
TRAPPING.
Within the borders of the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, the following fur-bearing animals are still more or less plentiful: Bear, beaver, badger, wild-cat, fisher, fox, lynx, marten, mink, otter, raccoon, skunk, wolverine, wolf and musk-rat. The halcyon days of the trapper are gone; game is not what it once was, but what there is pays well. Good bear, otter and fisher skins bring ten to fifteen dollars in St. Paul. Marten or wolverine is worth three to five dollars; a wolf is worth from two to four, and a red fox about two. A silver-gray fox, when of the best quality, is worth fifty dollars, hard cash. Beaver is sold by the pound, and brings for prime qualities from three to four dollars.
The skins of animals trapped are always valued higher than those shot, as shot not only make holes, but frequently plow along the skin making furrows as well as shaving off the fur. To realize the utmost for skins they must be taken care of, and also cleaned and prepared properly.
STEEL TRAPS are the best for all animals. They can be easily moved from place to place; can be used equally well on land or under water, and they do not injure the fur in the least. There are a great variety of makes and sizes, the choice of which must depend upon the game sought for, and the ideas of the trapper. The musk- rat trap will also serve for the capture of tho mink, marten and all other small fur-bearing animals. The mink trap proper is one size larger than for the musk-rat, and will answer for the fox or fisher. The otter trap will hold any medium sized animal as the beaver, badger or wild-cat. The beaver trap proper will also do for the wolf or lynx. For the bear or panther the largest size trap must be used.
THE DEAD FALL constructed by the trapper himself often does most effective work in taking various animals. It consists of
70 TRAPPING.
two large poles or logs placed over each other and kept in place by four stakes, two on each side. The top pole is raised at one end sufficiently high to admit the entrance of the animal, and is kept in that position by the contrivance of the stick and spindle, or " figure four." A tight pen is made with sticks, brush, etc., on one side of the trap, at right angles to it, and the spindle projects obliquely into this pen so that the bait attached to it is about eight inches beyond the side of the poles. The ani- mal, to reach this bait, has to place his body between the poles and at right angles to them, and on pulling, the spindle springs the " figure four" and the animal is crushed.
This contrivance forms the basis of a large variety of traps. It is made of three sticks — an upright, a diagonal piece, and the trigger or horizontal piece. The upright piece should be made about eight inches long, the top end being cut to a thick edge — not pointed. The horizontal piece or trigger, about fourteen inches long and square- has a notch on one side about seven inches from one end, On the upper face of the trigger near the blunt end, and about six and a half inches from the side notch, is another notch.
The diagonal piece has both ends bevelled or brought to a wide edge, and a notch cut near one end. In setting up the figure, hold the perpendicular up, fit the trigger to its side, adjust the notch in the diagonal to the perpendicular, and then insert the other end of the diagonal in the notch near the end of the trigger. Now let the lid of the trap or the fall, rest on the end of the diagonal, right over the trap. This makes the figure four stand firmly, yet ready to fall at the least pressure on the trigger, to which the bait is fastened. The trigger should extend about three inches from the perpendicular.
Setting Traps.
In trapping there are three points to be constantly borne in mind, viz: To set your trap so that the animal will go to it — that it will secure it when it comes — and that your captive shall not release itself. In using the home-made traps, the precautions will suggest themselves; steel traps must always be disguised with some prepar- ation rubbed over them. The trap should be well smoked with hemlock, cedar, or juniper boughs, or immersed in fresh hog's or chicken's blood. Melted fat, or bees wax will also answer the same
TRAPPING. 71
purpose. In setting traps for rabbits, grease of any kind must be avoided. Too much preparation must not be made around your traps — things must be left as natural as possible. Animals are usually very shy and are easily frightened off. In the case of foxes, raccoons, etc. , it is better to induce them to come for a few nights be- fore setting the trap. Scatter around bones, pieces of meat, bread, corn, etc., it will teach them to be bold, and success will be mori certain.
In trapping animals whose skins are valuable, precautions have- to be taken to prevent them injuring their fur, or being devoured by other animals.
A contrivance called a Spring Pole is used for this purpose, and is made as follows: Cut a pole of the required size, drive it firmly into the ground, bend it down from the top, and fasten the trap to it; fasten the bent pole by a notch or hook on a small tree or a stick driven into the ground. If a small tree stands near, you can trim and use it as it stands. When the animal is caught, his struggles will unhook the pole, which flies back and lifts him up into the air, thus securing him from self-violence and from prowlers.
Animals that live in the water require a different contrivance. Cut a pole ten or twelve feet long, leaving enough of the branches on the end to prevent the ring of the chain slipping off. Place the pole near your trap, in an inclined position, with its small end reaching into the deepest part of the stream, and its large end made fast in the bank by a hook driven into the ground. Slip the chain ring on the pole, and be sure that it is free to traverse the whole length. When the animal is caught, it plunges desperately into the region towards which the pole leads. The ring slides down to the end of the pole at the bottom of the stream, and with a short chain prevents the animal from coming to the surface or returning to the shore.
Proper Season for Trapping.
Newhouse, who is authority on these matters, makes the follow- ing remarks:
''All furs are best in winter; but trapping may be carried on to advantage for at least six months in the year, i.e., anytime between the first of October and the middle of April. There is a period in the warm season, say from the first of May to tho
TRAPPING.
middle of September, when trapping is out of the question, as furs are worthless. The most trapping is done late in the fall and early in the spring. The reason why furs become worthless in summer is, that all fur-bearing animals shed their coats, or at least lose the finest and thickest part of their fur as warm weather approaches, and have a new growth of it in the fall to protect them in winter. This whole process is indicated in the case of the musk-rat, and some other animals, by the color of the inside part of the skin. As summer approaches, it becomes brown and dark. That is a sign that the best fur is gone. Afterward it grows light-colored, and in winter when the fur is in the best condition, it is altogether white. When the pelt is white, it is called prime by fur-dealers. The fur is then glossy, thick, and of the richest color, and the tails of such animals as the mink, marten and fisher, are full and Ii3avy. Beavers and musk-rats are not thoroughly prime till about the middle of winter. Other animals are prime about the first of No- vember. There is probably some variation with the latitude, of the exact period at which furs become prime, the more northern being a little in advance. Trappers are liable to begin trapping too early in the season, consequently much poor fur is caught, which must be sold at low prices, and is unprofitable to the trapper, the fur- buyer, and the manufacturer."
Directions for Trapping and Snaring.
THE FOX. — There are several methods of catching this cau- tious animal. The trap should be concealed in a bed of sawdust, leaves or chaff, taking care that it is well smeared with blood or bees-wax. Fasten the trap to a clog so that the fox when caught can move about. To make the allurement doubly sure, obtain from the female of the dog, fox or wolf, the matrix, in the season of coition, and preserve it in alcohol, tightly corked. Leave a small portion of it on something near the trap; also put some on your boots when visiting your traps. Make a trail in different directions encircling the trap. A piece of raw flesh may also be dragged about. Be sure and leave everything around the trap and vicinity as natural as possible. Another good plan is to get some earth from a kennel where a tame fox is kept, and set the trap in it.
SCENES AT BAYFIELD, 17 MILES FROM ASHLAND.
TRAPPING. 73
THE MINK.— These can bo taken either on land or water; the land being generally preferred by trappers. The trap is set near the bank of a streanio If one of their holes cannot be found, make one. Three sidc3 of the cavity should be barricaded with stone> bark or wood, and the trap sat in the entrance. For bait, use a fish, bird or murh-rat, cut in :mall pieces and placed in the hole beyond the trap so thai the mink will be obliged to step over the trap to get it. Cover the trap with leaves, grass or feathers. In the coldest weather, smoke the bait to ^ivo it a stronger scent The (best scent for attracting miak is made as follows Get some eels, trout or minnows, and cut up into small pieces, put them into a loosely corked bottle and hrng it in the sun for two or three weeks, an oil will then be formed on the top whicli emits a very strong odor0 Sprinkle a few drops of this oil on the bait and around the trap* It wfl be sure to draw mink from some distance. The chain of the tiT,p> should be fastened to a spring pc le to lift the animal out of the reach of depredators, or if ohe trap is set near water it should be attached to the sliding pv ^e, so as to drown the animal at once.
THE MUSK-RAT. — First find a partially submerged log with some recent droppings of the musk-rat on it, cut i notch for the trap an inch or two under the water; t1- -i fasten the trap to a spring pole, for, if on the land, among weeds and bushes, he will not un frequently twist off his leg and escape. The traps are also placed in the runs, on bogs and old musk-rat houses, and wherever there are recent indications that the musk-rats come to feed. Where the game is scarce, the traps are sometimes baited, but otherwise this is not necessary. Carrots, parsnips, api'.Vs or potatoes, can be used for bait. A stick is stuck in the ground, slanting in wh a manner that the end shall be 0 or 8 inches above the treddle of the trap. The bait is stuck on the end of the stick, and in this way? if there are any rats in the vicinity, you are pretty sure to catch them. Some- times the traps are covered with an inch or two of weeds; and some trappers put a drcp or two of the oil, found in the glands of the musk-rat, on or near ihe traps. Equal, if not better than a steel trap, is an old barrel, sunk to the level of the ground, near the bank of a ditch, where there are evidences of the presence of the animals. Half illl it with water, and put in a couple of shingles, or light strips of board, to float on the surface. Place sweet apples or
74 TRAPPING.
carrots cut in small bits in the runs of the musk-rats, to toll them to the barrel. Then with bait upon the floats, inside, the rats will jump in after the food, and will not be able to get out. Where they are plenty, several musk-rats may be taken in a night by this simple trap, it costs nothing but labor, can be visited at your con- venience, and there is plenty of room in it for a dozen or more at once.
The musk-rat is a very dainty eater, and one of the swell mem- bers of the animal kingdom. He not only washes himself before and after he eats, but he washes all his food and observes the rule of cleanliness with unvarying regularity. Personally he is a short- legged little animal, from twelve to fifteen inches long, with a tail two-thirds the length of his body. He sports six rows of side- whiskers, and wears a scared, surprised sort of an expression on his rather homely face that makes him look as if at some time he had been guilty of some great crime. His dress is useful as well as ornamental. It is of hair, very soft and warm, dark brown on top, and rather lighter below. He is a good feeder, and his bill of fare embraces roots, grasses, vegetables, fruits and mussels. He can shuck a mussel as easily as a champion shucker can handle an oyster. Sometimes he eats fish, but this is rare. He is mainly a vegetarian.
The uses of the musk-rat are twofold, its hide, and for food. Formerly, when musk-rat fur was fashionable, the hides easiJy brought 25 or 30 cents, but nowadays 10 or 15 cents is all they are worth. As food the excellence of the meat depends altogether on the skinning and cooking. If the musk-bag is cut and the scent is imparted to the meat, it becomes worthless. An Indian •woman who is somewhat noted for her success in making musk-rat palatable, tells how she treats the animal. She said she skinned it and washed it carefully in fresh water; soaked it for several hours in salt water, and then, if the weather was cold enough^ hung it in the air so that it would freeze. The longer it is allowed to freeze the better it gets. The cold tabes away the wild taste. After this she either stews it, or, if she wants it fried, parboils it and fries it afterward. When served hot after the foregoing treatment it it is a dish not to be despised. The meat resembles the guinea hen, . and tastes something like that of the squirrel. The way the Indians used to treat this animal was either to toast it on coals or boil it with corn. It is to this day a great favorite with them and is rated second only to beaver's tail.
TRAPPING. 75
SQUIRRELS.— In trapping squirrels, set a steel trap on the up- per rail of a fence near where they frequent; set a pole with an ear of corn, or some other squirrel food fastened to the end of it, up against the side of the fence, leaning in such a position as to spring the bait over the trap at a hight of six or nine inches; when the squirrel reaches to get the bait he will get into the trap.
SKUNKS. — Take an old barrel and place it on its side on a tri- angular stick of wood about 7 inches high, fastening the bait on the bottom of the barrel. When the skunk goes for this bait as soon as he passes the centre, the barrel turns upright with the skunk in it. Then to secure the skunk take it by the tail and — well, we would advise you not to. Care must be taken not to place the barrel too high, as it might fall over. The more skunks you catch in the same barrel, the better the trap.
Skunks may also be caught with the steel trap and spring pole. Set the trap near their hole or path. Strew pieces of meat or dead mice before and near the trap. The offensive discharge can be pre- vented by a blow over the back.
THE OTTER. — This animal is a great enemy to fish, and the trapper is usually not slow in taking advantage of the fact. First proceed along the stream; look for the deepest holes, where the fish are sure to fly when pursued. Look about carefully and you will see the tracks where the otter comes out of the water, up the bank; and often you will find a small tuft of grass greener than the rest; open this and you will find the dung of the otter, full of scales and bones of fish. Having found out a favorite landing-place of the otter, make a run, slanting from the water up the bank, with a trapping-paddle; dig out a place exactly the form of the trap; set the trap slanting, so that the otter will not tread on the spring ; cover it over with fine mould— dry leaves, or rotten wood, level with the ground. When done, go back as far as you can, and with your hand throw water on the place where the trap is set and all around, to take away the scent of your hand and the fresh mould.
Fasten the trap as follows: Cut a small tree the size of the chain ring, and set it upright near enough to the path to help the animal into the trap, supporting it in that position and securing the trap and game by withing or tying the top to another tree. The ring should be slipped on the butt and fastened by a wedge. Before leaving, perfume the trap with a few drops of the fish oil as men- tioned under the head of Mink. The musk of the otter is also very
76 TRAPPING.
good. This is an oil taken from two small glands called oil stones situated next the skin on the belly of both sexes. The otter's sense of smell is very acute, hence great care must be taken to remove any trace of the trapper. While the trap is unsprung, keep as far as possible from it.
The otter resembles the weasel in form and motion, but is very different in many other respects. The otter, unlike the weasel, lives almost exclusively in the water and never allows its curiosity to overcome its discretion. A full grown otter is from three and one- half to five feet in length from the end of its nose to the tip of its tail, and weighs from twelve to thirty pounds, is of a dark brown color about the head and shoulders, and nearly black further back, with occasionally an individual that is jet black all over; but a per- fectly black otter is very rare. The fur is short, thick and very fine, and will wear longer than any other fur. An otter can not run very rapidly (it never walks); it jumps like a weasel, except that in traveling on the snow, where it is level or a trifle descending, it drops its fore feet back by its side, and slides along on its breast, propelling itself by its hind feet; and I have seen where it has slid ten rods at a time without moving its feet at all, and the track looks as if you had drawn along a six inch log. They sometimes travel long distances overland, but this is not common; their home is in the water. They live exclusively on fish; which they can catch with perfect ease, by outswimming them. If an otter takes after a fish there is no escape unless it can get into so small a place that the otter cannot follow. It can outswim even a trout. It does not use its fore feet in swimming, but drops them back the same as it does when sliding on the snow, and propels itself with its hind feet, which are webbed. It is a very strong, sharp bitten animal and will whip two ordinary dogs. It is a very hardy, long-lived animal, often attaining the age of 20 years. It breeds once a year, dropping its young, three or four, about the first of May, and generally se- lects some small stream that is very secluded and well stocked with trout. Of all wild animals, the otter is the wildest. It is very hard to trap, not only on account of its natural shyness, but also from a penchant that it has for catching its own food, and consequently can not be baited. The otter is sometimes domesticated by the trapper, and taught to catch fish for his master. In India and in China it has long been customary to so train the otter.
THE FISHER.— These are caught with the same methods used
TRAPPING. 77
in taking the mink. The trap should always be fastened to the spring pole. Unless the animal is lifted from the ground, he is nearly sure to gnaw off his leg or the pole. An old hunter gives the following instructions: "For capturing the fisher, we always draw a trail composed of oil of anise, assafoetida, and the musk of the musk-rat, mixed with fish oil, and placed in a deer-skin bag, about the sizo of a mitten, pierced full of holes with a small awl. If drawn along the line of traps, the scent is sure to attract the fisher's ctfee&tion, and when an animal once finds it, he will fol- low the tail till he comes to the trap. Mink are sometimes caught along trails of this kind, and it is a good plan to set a trap for wolves on the liiies as they are likely to be attracted and to follow it. In setting the trap, we either place it in a hollow log, or build a strong house and place the trap at the entrance. In the latter case the bait should be placed about two feet back from the door. The trap should be covered with finely powdered rotten wood. A spring pole should be used, as all animals of the canine family will follow the trail and rob the traps. Deer meat, musk-rat meat, or fish, make good bait for the fisher, marten, mink or wolf.
THE BEAVER. — These animals are now becoming very scarce. The clearing up and cultivation of the soil has driven nearly all of them from the country When a beaver pond has been found, the principal object is to take each beaver in it alone and drown it as soon as possible. If the remaining beavers get a knowledge of the capture of one of their family, they will all remove away. The trap should be set near the shore, about three inches under wa- ter. Carefully hide it by a covering of some soft substance that will not interfere with its springing. Use for bait a small portion of beaver castor, a milky secretion found in glands near the test- icles of the male beaver, leave it on the bank near the trap and carefully remove all trace of foot-prints by drenching the tracks with water.
BABBITS.— The steel trap is simply buried in the run, and leaves, grass, or earth strewed over its surface so as not to give an appearance of an unusual character. Bait with a piece of apple. Precaution should, however, be taken to tie the trap to a bough or peg in the ground, by a piece of strong string, otherwise the rab- bit will carry away the trap. Wire snares are also very effective traps. They are made of fine copper wire, and being inexpen- sive, a number of them may be set where rabbits abound. The
78 TRAPPING.
wires are made to form a running loop, just such as we form with string; only the wires are so arranged that they all unite to form the one loop. No ingenious person could fail to form the loop, after a few minutes' handling of the wire. It is so simple that it will suggest itself. The loop thus made, is set across a run, so that the top of the loop stands say about six inches from the ground; and in order to keep it in its proper position, a peg of wood is driven in the ground a little way from the run, and in the top of the peg there is a slit which serves to catch the ends of the wires and holds them in position. The wires must be tied firmly at the end to a string, which may lie on the ground; the end of the string should then be tied to a bough sufficiently high from the ground to yield a little when it is pulled. This yielding of the bough prevents the rabbit from snapping the string, which it would otherwise do in its endeavors to escape.
There is an ingenious mode of taking rabbits by single wires and what is called a springle, the same in principle as the spring pole. A strong and springy stick is stuck deep into the ground in an up- right direction; its smaller end is then bent over, and also buried sufficiently in the ground to keep it down. To this end a wire is tied by a short string, and when the rabbit is caught, his first jump pulls the end of the springle out of the soil, and it then lifts the rabbit completely from the ground, thereby depriving him of all power of escape.
THE ART OF CURING SKINS.
The market value of skins is greatly affected by the care used in skinning and curing. We take the following from Newhouse's Trap- per's Guide, an authority on such matters.
1. Be careful to visit your traps often enough, so that the skins will not have time to get tainted.
2. As soon as possible after an animal is dead and dry, attend to the skinning and curing.
3. Scrape off all superfluous flesh and fat, and be careful not to go so deep as to cut the fiber of the skin.
4. Never dry a skin by the fire or in the sun, but in a cool, shady place, sheltered from the rain. If you use a barn door for a stretcher (as boys sometimes do), nail the skin on the inside of the door.
5. Never use "preparations" of any kind in curing skins, nor even wash them in water, but simply stretch and dry them as they are taken from the animal. •
In drying skins it is important that they should be stretched tight like a strained drum-head. This can be done after a fashion by sim- ply nailing them flat on a wide board. But this method, besides being impracticable in the woods (where most skins have to be cured) is objectionable, because it exposes only one side of the pelt to the air. The stretchers that are generally used by trappers, are of three kinds, adapted to the skins of different classes of animals. They are the board-stretcher, the bow-stretcher, and the hoop- stretcher.
THE BOARD STRETCHER.— This contrivance is made in the following manner: Prepare a board of bass-wood or other lignt material, two feet three inches long, three inches and a half wide at one end, and two inches and an eighth at the other, and three eighths of an inch thick. Chamfer it from the centre to the sides almost to an edge. Round and chamfer the small end about an
82 ART OF CURING SKINS.
inch up on the sides. Split this board through the centre with a knife or saw. Finally, prepare a wedge of the same length and thickness, one inch wide at the large end, and tapering to three eighths of an inch at the small end, to be driven between the halves of the board. This is a stretcher suitable for a mink or a marten, A larger size, suitable for the full grown otter or wolf, should be five feet and a half long, seven inches wide at the large end when fully spread by the wedge, and six inches at the small end. An intermediate size is required for the fisher, raccoon, fox, and some other animals, the proportions of which can be easily figured out.
These stretchers require that the skin of the animal shall not be ripped through the belly, but must be stripped off whole. This is done in the following manner: Commence with the knife at the hind feet, and slit down to the vent. Cut around the vent, and strip the skin from the bone of the tail with the help of the thumb nail or a split stick. Make no other slits in the skin, except in the case of the otter, whose tail requires to be split, spread, and tacked on to the board. Peel the skin from the body by drawing it over itself, leaving the fur inward.
In this condition the skin should be drawn on to the split board, (with the back on one side and the belly on the other) to its utmost length, and fastened with tacks or by notches cut in the edge of the board, and then the wedge should be driven between the two halves. Finally, make all fast by a tack at the root of the tail, and another on the opposite side. The skin is then stretched to its utmost capacity, as a boot-leg is stretched by the shoemaker's "tree" and it may be hung away in the proper place, by a hole in one end of the stretcher, and left to dry.
A modification of this kind of stretcher, often used in curing the skins of the musk-rat and other small animals, is a simple board? without split or wedge, three sixteenth of an inch thick, twenty inches long, six inches wide at the large end, and tapering to five and a half inches at the small end, chamfered and rounded as in the other cases. The animal should be skinned as before directed, and the skin drawn tightly on to the board and fastened with about four tacks.
THE HOOP STBETCHER.— The skins of large animals, such as the beaver and the bear, are best dried by spreading them, at full size in a hoop. For this purpose, a stick of hickory or other flexible wood should be cut, long enough to entirely surround the skin when
ART OF CURING SKINS. 83
bent. (If a single stick long enough is not at hand, two smaller ones can be spliced together.) The ends should be brought around, lapped, and tied with a string or a withe of bark. The skin should be taken from the animal by ripping from the lower front teeth to the vent, and peeling around the lips, eyes and ears, but without ripping up the legs. It should then be placed inside the hoop and fastened at opposite sides, with twine or bark, till all loose parts are taken up, and the whole stretched so that it is nearly round and as tight as a drum-head. When it is dry it may be taken from the hoop, and is ready for transportation.
This is the proper method of treating the skin of the deer. Some prefer it for the wolf and raccoon. In many cases the trap- per may take his choice between the hoop and the board method. One or the other of these methods will be found satisfactory for curing all kinds of skins.
If it is simply desired to preserve skins until they are sold, it is only necessary to dry them thoroughly. If the weather should be damp and warm, salt the flesh side slightly with fine salt.
A dried skin oiled so as to become smooth and pliable will re- tain the hair or fur considerable time. For ordinary purposes, rabbit, squirrel, and other small skins can be efficiently preserved with the hair by the application of powdered alum and fine salt, put on them when fresh, or if not fresh by first dampening them.
SYNOPSIS OF
FISH AND GAME LAWS,
Wisco nsin.
WILD GAME may be killed in the State of Wisconsin only duis ing the seasons stated below:
WOOD-COCK, from July 10th to Jan. 1st.
QUAIL, PARTRIDGE, PHEASANT, PRAIRIE-HEN or GROUSE of any variety, from Aug. 15th to Jan. 1st.
DUCKS AND GEESE, from Aug. 15th to Jan. 1st.
OTTER, MINK, MARTEN, FISHER, MUSK-RAT, from Nov. 1st to May 1st.
DEER, from Nov. 1st to Dec. 15th.
It is unlawful to hunt or kill deer after nightfall by the aid of torchlight or any other artificial light; or to hunt chase or kill deer with dogs; at any time to catch or kill any game birds in any man- ner other than by means of a gun discharged from the shoulder, or raised and held by the hand; for any person or corporation to carry out of the State, or have in their possession for that purpose, any game bird or animal mentioned above. Wild pigeons, and beaver, mink, musk-rat and other fur-bearing animals are_excepted from the foregoing law.
The game laws also prohibit the use of net, snare, trap gun or spring, pivot or swivel gun, in killing game birds, and the use of any flat boat, sail, or steamboat, or floating box, or similar device, or from any fixed or artificial blind or ambush located • in open water, outside or beyond the natural cover of reeds, canes, flag or wild rice. Also the disturbing of any game birds in their nesting or breeding place; or the wounding or destroying of wild pigeons within three miles of their nesting place.
FISH may be caught in Wisconsin waters only during the seasons stated below:
86 FISH AND GAME LAWS.
BLACK BASS and WALL-EYED PIKE, from May 1st to Feb. 1st.
BROOK TROUT, from April 15th to Aug. 15th.
It is unlawful to take or catcli Brook Trout by any means or device other than hook and line.
Under special enactment, in Ashland, Bayfield and Douglass counties, the open season is from April 1st to Sept. 15th. In Monroe county, fish must not be taken by any device except spear, hook and line or angling. In Devil's Lake, Sauk county, it is unlawful to place set or float lines, and to cast a fly for taking fish in April, May and June.
State laws relating to fish and game do not apply to such places within the State as have in force penal laws of a local character, conflicting therewith and applicable to same subject.
MUSKALONGE may be caught at any time.
Minnesota.
WILD GAME may be killed in the State of Minnesota only during the seasons stated below:
WOOD-COCK, from July 3d to Nov. 1st.
QUAIL, PHEASANT or RUFFED-GROUSE, and PART- RIDGE, from Oct. 1st to Jan. 1st.
PRAIRIE-CHICKEN and SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, from Aug. 15th, to Oct. 1st.
DUCKS and GEESE, from Sept. 1st to May 15th.
DEER and ELK, from Dec. 1st to 15th.
The game laws prohibit breaking up or destroying the nests or eggs of game birds and all harmless birds, except wild pigeons and blackbirds; also the taking of game birds, the killing or trap ping of any kind, in any manner, except shooting with a gun.
If game is found in possession of individuals or transportation companies out of season, it is considered sufficient evidence for con- viction of violation of the game laws. Exportation from the State of all game birds is prohibited.
Hunters are forbidden to enter fields containing growing crops, not their own, with hunting implements or dogs, without permis- sion of the owner of the premises, under penalty of punishment for trespass.
FISH AND GAME LAWS. 87
FISH, may be caught in the State of Minnesota only during the seasons stated below:
BROOK TROUT, from April 1st to Oct. 1st.
The taking of brook trout in any of the waters of the State by any other means than with hook and line is prohibited; nor can any other variety of fish be taken, except by angling or the use of gun and spear. The waters of Lake Superior, the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers are, however, excepted from the operation of this latter clause of the law. Again, no fish must be taken within four hundred feet of any fishway.
Spearing of fish in the lakes of Hennepin and Ramsey counties is prohibited, as well as the catching of pickerel and bass, between March 15th and May 15th, in lakes of said counties, also Washing- ton county.
The above provisions of the game and fish laws shall not apply to any places within the State where other laws of a local character, conflicting therewith and applying to the same subject, are in force.
Michigan.
WILD GAME may be killed in the State of Michigan only during the seasons stated below:
DEER, (Lower Peninsula) from Oct 1st to Dec. 1st.
DEER, (Upper Peninsula) from Aug. 15th to Nov. 15th.
Fawns when in spotted coat and deer when in red coat must not be killed at any time.
Deer must not be killed at any time while in the waters of any stream, or lake.
WOOD-COCK, from Aug. 1st to Jan. 1st.
SNIPE, from Sept. 1st to May 1st.
QUAIL, from Nov. 1st to Jan. 1st.
WILD TURKEY, from Oct. 1st to Jan. 1st.
PARTRIDGE, and RUFFED-GROUSE, WOOD, TEAL, MAL- LARD or GRAY DUCK, from Sept. 1st to Jan. 1st.
PINNATED-GROUSE or PRAIRIE-CHICKEN, from Sept. 1st to Nov. 1st.
WILD PIGEONS — No fire-arms can be used against wild pigeons within five miles, and no trap, snare, net or other means •within two miles of their nesting places, at any time from the be- ginning until the last hatching of such nesting:.
88 FISH AND GAME LAWS.
INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS must not be killed or taken, nor nests molested at any time. /
No trap, snare, or net, nor punt or swivel gun, can be used to take any of the birds named, nor must they be molested while on their nestings.
FISH may be caught in the State of Michigan only during the seasons stated below :
BROOK TROUT, from May 1st to Sept. 1st.
GRAYLING, from June 1st to Nov. 1st.
BASS, PERCH and other varieties may be taken at any time.
Iowa.
WILD GA ME may be killed in the State of Iowa only during the seasons stated below:
PRAIRIE CHICKEN or PINNATED-GROUSE, from Aug. 15th to Dec. 1st.
WOOD-COCK, from July 10th to Jan. 1st.
RUFFED-GROUSE or PHEASANT, WILD TURKEY, and aUAIL, from Oct. 1st to Jan. 1st.
DUCKS and GEESE, or BRANT, from Aug. 15th to May 1st.
DEER and ELK, from Sept. 1st to Jan. 1st.
It is unlawful to kill game in any manner other than by means of a gun commonly shot from the shoulder.
BEAVER, MINK, OTTER and MUSK-RAT may be killed, trapped or ensnared between Nov. 1st and April gist ; they may, however, be killed at any time when necessary for the protection of private property.
The game laws prohibit killing for traffic, any pinnated-grouse, wood-cock, quail, ruffed grouse or pheasant, or any one person shoot- ing or killing, during one day, or having in his possession at one time more than twenty-five of the foregoing named birds, unless lawfully received for transportation.
Snaring, netting, or trapping any birds, or destroying eggs or nests of birds are unlawful. The exportation of game birds is pro- hibited. It is lawful for any person to ship to any other person, within the State, game birds, not exceeding one dozen in number, in one day, during the period -vchen the killing of such birds is not prohibited.
FISH may be caught in Iowa during the seasons stated below:
FISH AND GAME LAWS. 89
SALMON and TROUT, from Feb. 1st to Nov. 1st. BASS and WALL-EYED PIKE, from June 1st to April 1st. It is unlawful to catch fish by means of a net or seine. There is no restriction upon the manner of taking fish in the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
Dakota.
WILD GAME may be killed in Dakota only during the seasons stated below.
BUFFALO, ELK, DEER, ANTELOPE and MOUNTAIN SHEEP, from Sept. 1st to Jan. 1st.
PRAIRIE-CHICKENS and all other GROUSE from Aug. 15th to Jan. 1st.
It is unlawful to kill, trap or destroy quail in Dakota for five years from and after Feb. 5, 1833. Union, Clay and Yankton counties are exempted from the provisions and effects of this law.
The game laws prohibit any person from killing, ensnaring or trapping, in any form or manner, any Quail, Prairie-Chicken, Grouse, Snipe, Plover or Curlew on any premises owned or occupied by any other person, without the consent of such person; also pro- hibit any person from killing, or ensnaring, or trapping, in any form or manner, any of the above named birds, for sale, trade or traffic, at any time. Except that any of the above named birds may be sold to any person for his own use, to be consumed within the territory between Aug. 15 and Dec. 31, in each year.
FISH. — It is unlawful for any person to take, catch, kill or destroy any fish whatsoever, except by angling with hook and line, in any of the lakes or streams, or inlets or outlets of said streams, or any waters of the Territory of Dakota, except the Missouri and Red Rivers.
It is unlawful for any person to take, catch, kill or destroy by any device whatsoever, any Pike, Pickerel, Perch, Bass or Muskalonge, except for the purposes of propagating or breeding, in any of the waters of the Territory of Dakota, except the Missouri and Red Rivers, between the first day of February and the first day of May in any year, or expose the same for sale during this period.
INDEX
— TO —
Northern Sporting and Pleasure Resorts.
All distances given are from Chicago. The initials of railways have the following significance: C. & N. W. is for the Chicago and Northwestern Ry. ; C. St. P. M. & O is for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Ry. ; C. M. & St. P. is for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Ry.; G. R. & I. is for the Grand Rapids and Indiana R. R. ; M. & N. is for the Milwaukee and Northern R. R.; M. L. S. & W, for the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Ry.; M. & St. L. is for the Minneapolis and St. Louis Ry.; Mich. Cent, is for the Michigan Central R. R.; N. P. is for the Northern Pacific R. R.; St. P. M. & M. is for the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Ry. : Wis. Cent, is for the Wisconsin Cen- tral R. R. : "[. R. is for the Iron Range R. R.; M. H. & O. is for Marquetter Houghton andOntonagon R. R; St. P. & D. is for the St. Paul and Duluth R. R.
Where no Railway is specified the place is either a lake port or an inland point.
The GOODRICH LINE of Steamers touch at most of the Lake Michi- gan and Green Bay ports.
The NORTHERN MICHIGAN LINE also touches Lake Michigan ports, and in addition Mackinac, Cheboygan, etc. HANNAH* LAY & CO. LINE runs to Traverse City, etc.
The Lake Superior ports are reached by the LAKE MICHIGAN AND LAKE SUPERIOR TRANSPORTATION CO., and from the Lower Lakes, and the east by the LAKE SUPERIOR TRANSIT CO.
RAH/WAT. MILES.
Apostle Islands— Lake Superior ... 450
Agate Bay (Two Harbors)— Lake Superior 500
Albert Lea, Minn.-Inland Lakes C. M. & St. P 410
Alexandria, Minn. " " St. P. M. & M 552
Alpena, Mich.— Lake Huron
Ames, Wis.-Streams C., St. P. M. &O.... 409
Antigo. Wis.-Inland Lakes M. L. . & W...
Appleton, Wis.-Fox River \ g. l^w. [ '.'.'.".: 185
Ashby, Minn.— Inland Lakes St. P. M. & M 578
Ashland, Wis.-Lake Superior ••••{ w*" 429
INDEX TO NORTHERN SPORTING AND PLEASURE RESORTS.
RAILWAY. MILES
Bamesville, Minn St. P. M. & M 628
Bayfield. Wis.— Lake Superior C., St. P. M. & O.... 444
Bay City, Mich.— Saginaw Bay Mich. Cent 334
Bear Lake, Mich.— Lake Michigan
Beaver Dam, Wis.-Lake CM M. & St. P 15Q
Beaver Bay, Minn.— North Shore. Lake Superior
Berlin, Wis.— Fox River C.,M. & St. P 181
Big Stone City, Dak.— Lake C., M. & St. P 601
Black River Falls, Wis. -River CM St. P., M. & O... 264
Bois Blanc Island-Near Mackinac
Boyne Tails, Mich.-River G. R. & I ... .. 392
Brainard, Minn.— Lakes N. P 546
Briggsville, Wis.— Lake Mason. Marquette Co
Brown's Valley, Minn.— Big Stone Lake St. P., M. & M 616
Brule, Wis.— Bois Brule River C. &N. W 353
Butternut, Wis.-Lake Wis. Cent 376
Cadillac. Mich.-Lake , G. R. & 1 315
Calumet* Mich.— Near Lake Lynden M., H. & O 485
Cameron* Wis.— Lakes near C., St. P., M. & O. . . 368
Chaneaux Islands, Mich.— Near Mackinac
Charlevoix, Mich.— Lake Michigan Mich. Cent 390
Cheboygan, Mich.— Lake Huron
Chelsea, Wis,— Lakes Wis. Cent 322
Chetek, Wis.— Lake C., St. P., M. &O... . 360
Chisago Lakes, Minn.— Near Taylor's Falls St. P. & D
Clear Lake, Iowa.— Lake C., M. & St. P 365
Copper Harbor, Mich.— Lake Superior. Keewenaw Peninsula
Crookston, Minn.— Red River St. P., M. & M 709
Cross Village, Mich.— Lake Michigan
Dale, Wis.-Wolf River Wis. Cent... 193
Dartford, Wis.— Green Lake C. & N. W... 174
Delton, Wis.— Mirror Lake, near Kilbourn C. M. & St. P
Detroit, Minn.— Lake N. P .... 639
Devil's Lake, Wis.— Lake. . C. &N.W 173
Devil's Lake, Dak.— Lake St. P., M. &M 819
Duluth, Minn.-Lake Superior I C.', It.'p^M.' & o'.'. f 475
Eagle River, Wis.-Lakes M.,L.S. &W 351
Eagle River, Mich.— Lake Superior. Keewenaw Peninsula
Egg Harbor, Wis.— Green Bay . Door Co. Peninsula
Elkhart Lake* Wis M. & N 147
Elk Rapids, Mich.— Near Traverse City
Ellison's Bay, Wis.— Green Bay. Door Co. Peninsula
Escanaba, Mich.— Green Bay .C. & N. W 328
Excelsior, Minn.— Lake Minnetonka
INDEX TO NORTHERN SPORTING AND PLEASURE RESORTS.
RAILWAY. MILES.
Fairmont, Minn.— Lake C., M. & St. P 469
Fayette, Mich.— Big Ba de Noquette, near Escanaba
Feigns Falls. Minn.-Red River St. P., M. &M 596
Fife Lake, Mich.— Lake G. R. & 1 43C
Fifield, Wis.— Near Flambeau River Wis. Cent 363
Fish Creek, Wis.— Green Bay. Door Co. Peninsula
( Wis. Cent )
Fond dn Lac, Wis.— Lake Winnebago 4 C. &N. W L 151
(C. M. & St. P |
Fond dn Lac* Minn.— St. Louis River St. P. & D 565
Forest Lake, Minn.— Lake St. P. & D 434
Fort Francis, Manitoba.— Rainy Lake. Boundary Line
Foi t "William, Canada.— Thunder Bay. Lake Superior
Fox Lake, Wis.— Lake C. M. & St. P 157
Frankfort. Mich.— Lake Michigan , ....
Frontenac, Minn.— Lake Pepin C., M. & St. P 359
Gill's Landing, Wis.— Wolf River Wis. Cent 204
Glen-wood Minn.— Lake Whipple, near Alexandria
Glen Arbor, Mich.— Lake Michigan .-.
Gogebic, Mich.— Lake M., L S. & W 400
Gordon, Wis.— Brule River C., St.P.M. &O... 432
Granite Falls> Minn.— River C., M. & St. P 541
Grand Haven* Mich.— Lake Michigan .
Grand Morais, Minn.— North Shore Lake Superior
Grand Portage, Minn.— North Shore Lake Superior
Grand Rapids, Mich.— Grand River G. R. & I , . . . . 217
Grand Rapids, Wis.— Black River C., M. & St. P 295
Grayling, Mich.— Rivers Mich. Cent 416
Green Bay, Wis.-Bay jcJ'^N.'w.'!! .'! [ 198
Green Lake, Wis.— Lake. Dartf ord Post-office C. & N . W 174
Hancock Mich.— Portage Lake M., H. & O 472
Harbor Springs, Mich.— Traverse Bay G., R. & 1 416
Hartland, Wis.— Lakes C., M. & St. P 109
Hayward. Wis.— Lakes, etc C.,St. P., M. &O.. .. 425
Hinckley, Minn.-Streams { It R,'M.D&M. '.!'.; [ 496
Horioon, Wis.— Lake C., M. & St. P 139
Honghton, Mich.— Portage Lake M., H. &O 471
Interlaken, Minn.— Lakes St. P., M. &M 566
Ishpeming, Mich.— Near Lake Superior j M' V^&To [ 392
Kalkaska. Mich.— Trout Streams G. R. & 1 354
Kilbourn, Wis.— Wisconsin River C., M. & St. P 194
Koshkonong Wis.— Lake C. & N. W 104
INDEX TO NORTHERN SPORTING AND PLEASURE RESORTS. 93
RAILWAY. MILES.
Lac Vieux Desert, Wis M., L. S. & W 375
Lake City Minn.— Lake Pepin C., M. & St. P 352
Lake Crystal, Minn.— Lakes C., St. P.,M. &O.... 521
Lake Geneva Wis.— Lake C. & N. W 70
Lake of the Woods— 680 miles via Lake Superior route
Lake Madison. Minn.— 10 miles from Mankato 425
Lake Benton, Minn.—Lake C. & N. W 560
Lake Mills, Wis.-Lake C. & N. W 126
L'Anse Mich.— Lake Superior M., H. & O 440
Lanesboro, Minn.— Lake ..C., M &St.P ... 333
Litchfield M inn.— Lakes . . St. P., M. & M 487
Little Falls, Minn.— River N. P 516
Long Lake (No. 1), Wis C., St. P., M. &O... 452
Ludington, Mich.— Lake Michigan
Madison. Wis.-Lakes ] &€.«,«
Mackinac Island, Mich.— Straits of Mackinac
Mackinaw City, Mich j Mich.' Cent'.!. '.'.\ 443
Maukato, Minn.— River and Lake C., St. P. M. & O. . . 508
Manitoulin Islands- In Georgian Bay, near Mackinac
Manistee. Mich.— Lake Michigan
Maiiitowoc, Wis.— Lake Michigan M., L. S. & W 162
Marinette, Wis.— Green Bay C. & N. W 262
Marquette, Mich.— Lake Superior M., H. & O 401
Marquette, Wis.— Lake Puckaway. See Green Lake
Mazo Manie Wisconsin River C., M. & St. P 204
Medford Wis.— Near Lake Wis. Cent 317
(C.&N. W )
Meiiasha, Wis.-Lake Winnebago 1 Wis. Cent V 178
IM.&N f
Menominee. Mich.-Green Bay j g &LN-gw^ — •• j. 264
Menominee, Wis.-River ] g., !St. P -M^&O. I 345
Minneopa Falls, Minn C., St. P. M. & O. . . 514
Minneapolis* Minn.— Ail North-western Railways 420
Moiitello Wis.-Lakes Wis. Cent 197
Munising, Mich.— Lake Superior, near Pictured Rocks
Nashotah. Wis.-Lakes C., M. & S. P 112
Necedah, Wis.-River C.,TH. & St. P 232
Neenah, Wis.-Lake Winnebago "! Wit. CeS::':::.':" f 182
Negaunee, Mich.-Near Lake Superior ] M.fn'^o [ 389
New London, Wis.- Wolf River M.', L. S. & W 22";
Nokwebay, Wis.-Lake.. M. & N. R £..•>
94 INDEX TO NORTHERN SPORTING AND PLEASURE RESORTS.
RAILWAY. MTLES.
Oconomowoc, Wis.— Lakes ... C., M. & St. P 116
Oconto, Wis.-Green Bay ] SA^Vfc W\'.'..'. \ 243
Oconto Falls, Wis.— River M.'L. S. & W 255
Okoboji. Iowa.— Lakes C., M. & St.P 473
Ontario. Wis — Kickapoo River 243
Ontonagon, Mich.— Lake Superior
(C. &N. W )
Oshkosh, Wis.— Lake Winnebago 1 Wis. Cent V 157
|C.,M. &st. P f
Osakis, Minn.— Lake St. P., M. & M 540
Otsego Lake* Mich.— Lake Mich. Cent 433
Packwaukee Wis.— Buffalo Lake Wis. Cent 189
Palmyra, Wis.-Lake C., M. & St. P 127
Pelican, Wis.-Lake M. L. S. & W 320
Pelican Rapids, Minn.— Lake St. P., M. fc M 620
Pensaukee, Wis.— Green Bay C. & N. W 237
Peshtigo. Wis.— Green Bay C. & N. W 255
Petoskey, Mich.— Bay G., R. & 1 408
Pewaukee, Wis —Lake C., M. & St. P 104
Pigeon River, Minn.— Lake Superior. Boundary Line
Pipestone City, Minn | g-; ^ f.ffcfj; 5; j- 575
Pipestone Mountain, Wis.— Near Rice Lake
Plover, Wis.— Lakes, near G. B. & M 279
Pokegama, Minn.— Lake St. P., M. & M 545
Portage » Wis.— Fox and Wisconsin Rivers C , M . & St. P 1 77
Quinnesec Falls, Mich.— Menominee River . . : C. & N. W 330
Rat Portage, Manitoba.— Lake of the Woods 1001
Redwood Falls Minn.— River C. & N. W 5^5
Rhinelander. Wis.— River M., L. S. & W 340
Rice Lake, Wis.-Lake C. , St. P., M. & O. . . 375
Ripon, Wis.-Streams, etc -j g- M^Vsfp" } 168
River Falls- Wis.— Streams C., St. P., M. & O. . . 401
Roscommon, Mich.— Streams Mich. Cent 401
St. Cloud, Minn.— Lakes St. P., M. & M 485
St. Croix Falls, Wis.— River, opposite Taylor's Falls
St. Helen's Station, Mich .—River Mich. Cent 389
St. Ignace, Mich.— Opposite Mackinaw City
St. Paul. Minn.— All North-Western Railways.. 410
St. Peter, Minn.— Lake and River ...C., St P, M. &O ... 496
ft. Vincent, Minn.— Red River St. P., M & M 800
Sank Center, Minn.— Lakes St. P., M. & M. . 527
INDEX TO NORTHERN SPORTING AND PLEASURE RESORTS. 95
RAILWAYS MILES.
Sault Ste- Marie, Mich.— At outlet of Lake Superior ...................
Schlesengerville, Wis.-Near Cedar Lake ........ \ wi^f' Cent* P " " [ 117
Shawano. Wis.— Lake ............................... M., L. S. & W ....... 256
Sheboygan, Wis.-Lake Michigan .................. -| §M&L?S.'& W ..... [ 137
Siskowit Bay.— Isle Royale. Lake Superior ..............................
Sister Bay* Wis.— Green Bay. Door Co. Peninsula ......................
Spring Lake, Mich.— Near Grand Haven ..................................
Sparta, Wis.-La Crosse River ...................... ] a'&Vw'* * ..... } 255
Spirit Lake, lowa.-Lake ........................... ! B? & C&RSt* P ..... [ 47T
State Line, Wis.— Lakes, near ........................ M., L.S.&W... . 370
Stevens Point, Wis.— River .......................... Wis. Cent ........... 245
Sturgeon Bay, Wis.— Green Bay. Door Co. Peninsula ..................
Sturgeon Falls, Mich.— Menominee River ........... C. & N. W. . ......... 319
Superior. Wis.-Lake Superior ...................... ]§''!*' P"M' & °* ' } m
Tahquamenon, Mich.— River and Falls, near Sault Ste. Marie ...........
Taylor's Falls. Minn.— St. Croix River ............... St. P. & D ........... 436
Toman. Wis.— Near Stream ........................... C., M. & St. P ....... 239
Torch Lake- Mich.— Near Grand Traverse Bay ...........................
Tower City, Minn.— Vermilion Lake ................ Iron Range ......... 560
Traverse City, Mich.— Bay ........................... G. R. & 1 ............ 362
Tustin, Mich.— Lake .................................... G. R. & 1 ........... 303
Wadena, Minn.— Lakes ............................... N. P ................ 592
Waseca, Minn — Lakes ................................. C. & N.W ........... 402
"Washington Harbor.— Washington Island. G reen Bay ...............
Waters-meet. Mich.— Streams ....................... M., L. S. & W ...... 378
Watterville- Minn.— Lakes ........................... M. & St. L .......... 413
Waverly, Minn.— Lake .............................. St. P., M. & M ...... 459
Waukesha, Wis.-Fox River ...................... jc.^&stp ..... \ 106
Waupaca- Wis.— Chain of Lakes ...................... Wis Cent ............ 215
Wausau, Wis. -Wisconsin River ................... | <^M. | ^ ..... £ 295
Weyauwega, Wis.— Waupaca River ................ Wis . Cent ........... 203
White Bear Lake Minn.— Near St. Paul : ......... St. P. & D ........... 428
"White Birch. Wis.— Upper St. Croix ................. C., St. P., M. &O... 428
Wilmar, Minn.— Lake ................................ St. P., M. & M ...... 513
Winneconne, Wis.— Lake Poygan ................... C., M. & St. P ....... 189
Winnipeg, Manitoba.— Red River .................. St. P., M. & M ...... 868
Withee, Wis.— B lack River ............................ Wis. Cent ........... 311
Worthington . Minn.— Lake ......................... C., St. P., M. & O. . . 601
96 WISCONSIN STATE PARK.
THE STATE PARK.
Near the northern extremity of the State of Wisconsin, and quite unknown to the general public, is a tract of land comprising over fifty thousand acres, which has been set aside by the State for a public park. A more natural park or game-preserve could hardly have been chosen in all the northern country. It is heavily tim- bered, in places quite marshy, and contains a myriad of small lakes, with the usual accompanying brooks and rivulets, so plentifully dis- tributed over our northern territory.
Many of these lakes are covered in part with the wild rice, so alluring to aquatic fowl, besides which, the sportsman can always depend upon finding in a district of this nature a plentiful supply of the finny game.
It was a wise and far-seeing man who first proposed to the Wis- consin Solons to set aside a vast tract of almost primeval forest- land for the benefit of the coming generation of sportsmen. It now only remains for some one, more public -spirited than his fellows, to propose, and urge until it is consummated, a plan for the propaga tion of such game, in the park, as has become extinct, or almost so, in this section of Wisconsin. A similar institution to the Fish Commission, should be maintained. The park should be stocked with all game indigenous to the country; wild-turkey, plover, swan, deer, elk and all the other species that are now lacking or liable to run out.
•'THE WOLF OF THE WATERS." Hints from an Old Hunter \
When sleeping in the woods without sufficient covering, lie with the stomach to the earth; this prevents the heat generated in the stomach from escaping.
If in a snow-storm keep snow below as well as above and around you.
When in the woods without compass or the sun to guide you, remember that the bark on the north side of a tree is always darker than on the south, and that if there be moss it is on the north or shady side. Also notice the top twig of the hemlock, for it always bends to the north.
Never travel without matches in your pocket, for if you do not need a fire for its heat, you may require it to keep off mosquitoes. A mixture of oil of tar, sweet-oil and a little creosote is a splendid
98
HINTS FROM AN OLD HUNTER.
preparation for the hands ^and face, where mosquitoes are trouble- some.
In locating a camp, first consider well the lay of the ground. Se- lect as near as possible the north side of an opening or lake, so that the night breeze from the south which usually sets in about eight o'clock, will strike you. Then, if on high land, you will experience an exquisitely refreshing sleep, entirely free from mosquitoes
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS, which as a rule are first- class, costs the traveler usually $2 per day; occasionally at the more popular Summer Eesorts the rates are $2.50 to $3.00, but sel- dom higher, except for extra rooms, etc.
PRIVATE FAMILIES in the larger towns often take summer boarders, and charge from $5 to $12 per week.
SMALL BOATS are to let, at nearly all places of resort, and range from 50 cents to $1.00 r>er da^ the higher mice as you go northward.
GUIDES, OARSMEN AND COOKS, serve at from $2 to $3 per day, and found.
CAMP ON
EAGLE RIVER.
ON THE FLAMBEAU.
99
How to Put Up a Hammock.
If you desire a hammock for sitting or swinging purposes only, theu tie both ends equally elevated. If for reclining purooses the head should be higher than the feet.
A good rule is to fasten the hook for the head of the hammock six feet, three inches from the ground or floor, and the lower end three feet, three inches. The distance between the two should be eighteen or twenty feet, though fifteen feet will answer. The longer rope should be at the bottom end, as this makes swinging much easier and more agreeable.
For outdoor use when two trees are not available, the hook for the head may be fastened upon the tree or the rope tied to it, and a post set in the ground at the required distance for the lower end. In this manner, shade can be secured though the lounger be the possessor of but a single tree. The fastenings and rope should be strong and secure beyond a peradventure. The closely woven hammocks are best, as they do not catch the buttons nor wear out so quickly.
MIDNIGHT DIVERSION
IN
THE NORTHERN WILDS.
THE NORTH-WESTERN
9 199 SOUTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO,
Controls over 7,000,000 Acres of
"Mineral? Timber and Farming JLands.
We have Agents and Correspondents in all the principal cities of the North-west who are well posted in regard to lands in their vicinity. They are all perfectly reliable, and are mostly men of wealth and influence.
We have in our employ a number of reliable explorers and land-hunters, who will locate interests of all kinds and in almost any section of the North-west. Tell us what you want, and if we do not suit you it will be strange indeed. The general manager of our association, Mr. G. F. Thomas, who is also president of the "Land Seekers Bureau of Information," is undoubtedly better acquainted with the topography of the North-west than any other man, thus enabling us to transact much business that others cannot handle. Among the members of our Association are several of the noted land-men of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
We are agents for the sale of a large part of the RAILROAD LANDS of Wisconsin and Minnesota. We locate Government and State lands, homesteads, pre-emptions, etc. We organize SYNDICATES for the purpose of controlling and buying heavy landed interests. Safe investment of funds made with little cost and no risk. We are Agents for the sale of stock in the
Apostle Islands Improvement Co.,
A SPLENDID INVESTMENT and if one should sometime have an inclination to visit these beautiful " Summer Isles of a Northern Sea " it would be more than pleasant to know that you own an interest there.
Parties desiring summer homes, unsurpassed in America, should correspond with us.
LIST OIF
Belonging to the NORTH-WESTERN LAND ASSOCIATION
AND OTHERS, FOR SALE AT BED-ROCK PRICES.
PINE LANDS.— In Northern Minnesota and Wis- consin, large and small lots, and cheap for cash.
HEMLOCK.— 200,000 acres for sale. TANNERY WANTED.
HARDWOOD LANDS.— Three large tracts on Up- per Wisconsin River, also a large amount in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, some in Minnesota and Central Wisconsin. The latter is in small lots, suit- able for men who wish to make for themselves homes, and have but a few dollars to begin with.
PRAIRIE LANDS.— In South-western Minnesota, no better in the world. They can be bought at from $7 to $10 per acre. Any amount of Dakota Lands for sale or trade.
IMPROVED FARMS in all sections of the North- west.
STOCK FARM— 3,000 acres near St. Paul, (a good speculation for a syndicate.)
TOWN SITES.— We have several fine locations, on established Railroads in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
HOTEL SITES.— Always a few desirable locations.
WATER PRIVILEGES.— Locations first-class.
STONE QUARRIES.— Lake Superior Sand Stone and others.
SUMMER RESORTS.— Some delightful situations on beautiful lakes, etc. Lots for sale.
TOWN LOTS.— In Ashland, Washburn, Bayfield, West Superior (the new town), and other towns scat- tered over the North-west,
Address all Communications to
N.W. Land Association,
199 s. CLARK ST., CHICAGO.
OFFICE OF THE '
(INCORPORATED 1883),
MADISON, WIS.
OFFICERS:
G. F. THOMAS, President. E. C. COLEMAN, Vice-President.
L. C. JONES, Secretary. E. L. HITCHCOCK, Treasurer.
OBJECT QF THE ASSOCIATION.
Firstly: To furnish its patrons with valuable information relating to any and all sections of land lying in the Northwestern States and Territories — their geographical, topographical and geological ar- rangement, or condition of same.
'Secondly: For the procurement of ' special Railroad and Hotel ac- commodations, reduced rates, etc.
Thirdly: For the organization of summer excursions to Lake Su- perior and the numerous other important and interesting localities of the Great Northwest.
The facilities possessed by said Association for acquiring these unusual and peculiar advantages are mainly due to Mr. G. F. Thomas, the Association's founder and first president. Mr. Thomas, in his literary pursuits — searching after early history, traditions and the hidden objects of wonder, so profusely distributed over our northern and western America — has unusual advantages for learning the " lay of the land," as it were. During his many years spent in explora- tions and research, associating with the Pioneer and the Woodsman, and at times living among the Indians, that he might learn their habits and some of their secrets, Mr. Thomas has ever kept a sharp lookout — noting the topography of the country wherein he traveled, its advantages, etc., and without the least egotism we feel justified in claiming for him knowledge of the Northwest equalling, if, indeed, not surpassing, that of any other one man.
Outside the members themselves, several of whom have an ex- tensive acquaintance in the Northwest, our Association has nearly
two hundred correspondents, located at various advantageous points between Lake Huron and the Columbia River on the Pacific Coast, many of whom have spent a large portion of their lives in exploring, surveying, etc., while others again are old hunters, trappers and Indian traders.
From these and other sources, our ' ' Bureau of Information " is enabled to offer the general public, or that portion thereof which may see fit to become patrons of the enterprise, an almost inexhaust- ible mine of wealth — a source of prosperity.
Every purchaser of an " ANNUAL CERTIFICATE CARD," costing only ten (10) dollars, is entitled to the use of the "Bureau's" fund of information, by correspondence or otherwise, as well as all other aids or benefits which the Association may be able to confer. There is printed upon the back of each of the "Annual Certificate Cards" a list of first-class Hotels and Real Estate Agents specially recom- mended by the "Bureau of Information."
The price of an Annual Certificate Card — $10 — is extremely low, considering the expense and labor required in first becoming capable of instituting a Bureau of Information of such vast scope and pros- pects as that of the aforesaid institution.
From the Bureau of Information the Speculator can learn that which will often enable him to secure a fortune.
The Lumberman can have timber land located and estimated by competent and experienced woodsmen.
The Tourist and Sportsman can know " their best route," and also obtain descriptive and historical literature concerning the same.
The Poor Man can learn where to homestead or pre-empt to the best advantage.
The Tradesman, the Mechanic, the Miller, or the Professional Man, can, by applying to the Land Seekers' Bureau of Information, usually find a desirable location.
References. — Mr. Thomas personally refers to PRESTON, KEAN &. Co., Bankers, Chicago; MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE BANK, Milwaukee.
ALL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO
THE L'AND SEEKERS' BUREAU OF INFORMATION, No. 20, W. Wilson St. , MADISON. Wis.
•Abject to immediate recall.
14De'54RC
)V 3 01954
rt
u
100m-l/54(1887sl6 476
beam, weight, 50 to 75 pounds, win* ^^^, T..
Special rates to clubs ordering a number at one time.
for catalogue. Sail and Steam Yachts built to order.
POWELL & DOUGLAS,
Manufacturers of Windmills, Pumps, etc.
jiil to l-inch brder. Send stamp
ILL.
M315170